Blanched Lettuce

nickmcmechan

nickmcmechan

Proudly Scottish
Feb 25, 2007
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Edinburgh, Scotland
I've used blanched lettuce as a method to feed Plecos in the past. However, someone today I spoke to reckoned this was a bad idea, I quote:

"blanched lettuce in a very bad idea!!!!!!!! if you boil lettuce the resulting water can, and is used as an insectaside!! not something you need in your tank!"

Any thoughts?
 
I've been putting just fresh lettuce in my aquarium, no problems at all. Most pesticides used now in farming dissipate by the time they reach market (mostly). I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Never heard of such a thing. I don't think so.
But why blanch the lettuce anyway? It breaks down pretty fast on its own.
XO
 
There are some natural things in lettuce that if concentrated enough can be used on other plants for insect control. But I don't see an issue with your fish. You are giving them lettuce, not the water it was boiled in and no where near the concentration needed. IMO, lettuce has little food value, I'd stick to zuc's
 
If they wont eat zuchini I would also try spinach. Mine love it but it needs to be blanced first and then sit for 10 or so hours. After that, they are like spinach pirhanas.
 
And any thoughts on this response:

"oops perhaps you had better change the people you get you information off!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Natural Insecticides
You sit down to an attractive green salad. All the ingredients were purchased at an organic farmers co-op, so you're sure that every bite must be free of any toxic chemical. Well, not quite. Your salad is indeed safe and healthy, but it does contain tiny amounts of natural toxic substances. Here's a sampling of the chemicals that may be in your salad.

* Neochlorogenic acid: broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale
* Estragole: basil
* Caffeic acid: lettuce, carrots, apples, celery, eggplants, cherries
* p-Hydrazinobenzoate: mushrooms
* Sinigrin: cabbage, collard greens, cauliflower, horseradish

These chemicals are natural insecticides. Plants produce these chemicals to discourage insects from eating them. At very high doses, much higher than humans would eat in a normal diet, these natural insecticides have caused cancers in rodents. Fortunately many plant-eating animals, including humans, produce enzymes to protect themselves against natural pesticides.

taken from: http://depts.washington.edu/ceeh/News/biotrans.htm#Natural%20Insecticides"
 
Well then, the fish that eat the lettuce would have the necessary enzymes to deal with the "pesticides."

I wouldn't worry about it. It's like those people raving about how eating soy products is dangerous for humans.
 
nickmcmechan said:
And any thoughts on this response:

"oops perhaps you had better change the people you get you information off!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Natural Insecticides
You sit down to an attractive green salad. All the ingredients were purchased at an organic farmers co-op, so you're sure that every bite must be free of any toxic chemical. Well, not quite. Your salad is indeed safe and healthy, but it does contain tiny amounts of natural toxic substances. Here's a sampling of the chemicals that may be in your salad.

* Neochlorogenic acid: broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale
* Estragole: basil
* Caffeic acid: lettuce, carrots, apples, celery, eggplants, cherries
* p-Hydrazinobenzoate: mushrooms
* Sinigrin: cabbage, collard greens, cauliflower, horseradish

These chemicals are natural insecticides. Plants produce these chemicals to discourage insects from eating them. At very high doses, much higher than humans would eat in a normal diet, these natural insecticides have caused cancers in rodents. Fortunately many plant-eating animals, including humans, produce enzymes to protect themselves against natural pesticides.

taken from: http://depts.washington.edu/ceeh/News/biotrans.htm#Natural%20Insecticides"
Click to expand...


tell your friend that my fish and snails eat lettuce, spinach, and cucumbers with gusto, and are quite fat and happy.

as rbishop said above, the chemicals this person speaks of are nowhere near the concentration needed to cause harm... and besides.. no matter what someone SAYS, physical proof is the killer (no pun intended) on this one...
 
Wait a minute! After I steam/boil my spinach or lettuce, I'm supposed to have to let it sit around for TEN hours before using it???
 
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