Check the Plec

trickypetscom · 01-18-2012, 11:43 PM

I've got a pleco that was about 1.5 inches when purchased 5 years ago. Now it is about 8 inches long. I have a 55 gallon aquarium. Can anyone tell me the life expectancy of this type of fish? How big should I expect it to grow considering the size of the aquarium? It has really unique markings, and I'm hoping to have it a long time. Check it out. Let me know what you think.

Hidden Images on a Fish - Hidden Image on a Pleco Fish 2 - YouTube

utrose · 01-18-2012, 11:51 PM

Wow that's a nice looking fish. In your aquarium he could reach maybe ten inches before you would need to move him to at least a 75. I have heard of ordinary Siamese plecs living as long as 15 years.

Summer · 01-18-2012, 11:53 PM

common plecos can reach up to 2 foot long.

trickypetscom · 01-19-2012, 12:27 AM

Wow, Thanks for the replies. It is all very encouraging. This fish is really a conversation starter. It used to hide a lot when it was smaller, but he's out in the open a lot more now, giving a good view of all of those "hidden" images. It would be amazing to have it for 15 years. Any recommendations for the best ways to maximize it's health and growth?

I never expected that a fish could be so useful in keeping the aquarium clean and be so cool as well.

SuckMyCichlids · 01-19-2012, 12:30 AM

i didnt see any drift wood in your tank but that dosent mean you dont have any, if you dont then you should get some, pleco's need it to chew on for fibers and what not

utrose · 01-19-2012, 12:40 AM

Try not to keep him with any fish aggressive fish like African cichlids. They tend to not dislike slower moving fish like plecs. Besides that just be sure to vary his diet every so often. Give him some carnivore pellets or frozen sea food every now and then. You can get by with just the algae wafers but for optimum health i would go for the varied diet consisting of mostly algae wafers with some other carnivorous foods on the side / once or twice per week.

hanky · 01-19-2012, 01:10 AM

id say hes a common pleco, can get up to 20" or so, and yes they are pretty neat looking fish

Summer · 01-19-2012, 07:48 AM

To maximize his health feed him a variety of foods, not just algae pellets/discs. Plecos love veggies, so some sliced up zucchini is a very good start. They also need driftwood in their tank to rasp on. As I said in the pm I replied, make sure he is in a big enough tank to grow. What size tank do you have him in now?

trickypetscom · 01-19-2012, 09:16 PM

All,
Thanks for all the advice. I don't have any driftwood in the tank, so I'll add some.

Summer, I've got a 55 gallon tank, with only two other small fish currently. I actually started with about 12 basic fish 5 years ago. Most lasted several years, with these three the last survivors. I didn't replace the fish because I thought I would like to try salt water after they all passed. However, now that the pleco has turned out so well, I've reconsidered the salt water conversion for the time being.

Summer · 01-19-2012, 11:14 PM

He will outgrow that 55 for sure, if he isnt cramped already. I'd start watching craigslist and local classifieds and see if you can score a bigger tank for a good price then you can do a sw on teh 55 ;)

debisbooked · 01-20-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summer

He will outgrow that 55 for sure, if he isnt cramped already. I'd start watching craigslist and local classifieds and see if you can score a bigger tank for a good price then you can do a sw on teh 55 ;)

I agree with Summer. He needs a bigger home just as much as he needs the driftwood and good food. He is a lovely guy, for sure!

susankat · 01-20-2012, 12:59 PM

He is a nice common. Like the markings on him. Most commons live a long life as long as they have the room and quality foods. I have one that is 18 inches now, and one in a 55 that is almost 10 inches and will need to be moved soon.

Get him some wood to rasp on it helps with digestion. At this size it will probably take him awhile to get used to some fresh veggies, but given time he will eat it.

Once they are hitting 8 to 10 inches they can handle themselves in mildly aggressive cichlids. I keep both of mine in with victorians, a friend of mine keeps his with yellow labs and demasoni and others.

trickypetscom · 01-21-2012, 07:00 PM

Thanks SUSANKAT. I'll start thinking about a biger tank. It's hard for me to even imagine a 220 gallon tank, 4 times the volume of my 55.

trickypetscom · 01-25-2012, 03:49 AM

Thanks for all the help. I have another question. Is there an ideal water temperature for a pleco? I do not heat the aquarium, so the water adjusts to the room temperature, which can get pretty cool in the winter.

susankat · 01-25-2012, 08:31 AM

As long as the temps don't drop below 68 he should be fine. I don't use heaters in most of my tanks but the room is kept at about 77.

trickypetscom · 02-02-2012, 11:56 PM

This particular room is probably always below 68 in the winter. so is a heater in order? The tank has been here since we set it up 5 years ago. It does not seem to have had an adverse affect on any of the fish, but maybe they would just do better if it were warmer. I'm also wondering if with the pleco's growing size if it might become more sensitive to the water temperature.

susankat · 02-03-2012, 10:10 AM

Plecos will survive at lower temps but they do not thrive. They come from tropical waters but on the lower end of temps. They do best at temps between 72 and 77, most won't like it any warmer.

Cooler temps than 68 they become sluggish and don't move around as much. But given once they get bigger they don't move as much anyway.

King James · 02-03-2012, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuckMyCichlids

i didnt see any drift wood in your tank but that dosent mean you dont have any, if you dont then you should get some, pleco's need it to chew on for fibers and what not

I just two bristlenose plecs one albino and one brown....about 1 inch long and they are in my 75 with 3 good sized mopani driftwood and this tank is 11 yrs established and I had no plecs all that time as I had 2 featherfin cats and one large oscar all those yrs. I traded the 3 big fish off and re-stocked with tetras and juvie angels and a couple corys and the 2 plecs. I noticed the bristlenose really chew on the driftwood or they have actually shaved it kind of and it really is looking cool too. They spend a lot of time on the driftwood so it must be true they need it as well for diet. Just my 02 cents.

King James · 02-03-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susankat

Plecos will survive at lower temps but they do not thrive. They come from tropical waters but on the lower end of temps. They do best at temps between 72 and 77, most won't like it any warmer.

Cooler temps than 68 they become sluggish and don't move around as much. But given once they get bigger they don't move as much anyway.

This is good info from someone that obviously knows plecos, this is why I joined this forum....to learn stuff even after 47 yrs keeping fish...can't believe how much I have picked up this past week....wow...brain overload! It is all good though....

susankat · 02-03-2012, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the complement. Yes I do keep plecos, several types from bristlenose to commons, I have one common that is 18 inches.

I know the feeling even though been keeping fish for 30 plus years there is always something new to learn.

01-18-2012, 11:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
utrose Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 25 Name: Gage Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Check the Plec Wow that's a nice looking fish. In your aquarium he could reach maybe ten inches before you would need to move him to at least a 75. I have heard of ordinary Siamese plecs living as long as 15 years.

01-18-2012, 11:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Summer Susan and Bev's protégé Summer's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2,504 Name: Summer Location: Pennsylvania My location Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1,138 Times Said "Thanks" 168 Times Was Thanked 571 Times in 552 Posts	Re: Check the Plec common plecos can reach up to 2 foot long. __________________ "Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

01-19-2012, 12:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
trickypetscom Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Check the Plec Wow, Thanks for the replies. It is all very encouraging. This fish is really a conversation starter. It used to hide a lot when it was smaller, but he's out in the open a lot more now, giving a good view of all of those "hidden" images. It would be amazing to have it for 15 years. Any recommendations for the best ways to maximize it's health and growth? I never expected that a fish could be so useful in keeping the aquarium clean and be so cool as well. Last edited by trickypetscom : 01-19-2012 at 12:36 AM. Reason: update message

01-19-2012, 12:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
SuckMyCichlids Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 464 Location: Las Vegas, Nv Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 125 Times Said "Thanks" 97 Times Was Thanked 118 Times in 115 Posts	Re: Check the Plec i didnt see any drift wood in your tank but that dosent mean you dont have any, if you dont then you should get some, pleco's need it to chew on for fibers and what not __________________ 10g- 2 hi-fin fm platys, 3 koi & red wag sword fry 40g Breeder- 6 danios, 4 female swords, 1 male swords "I was born with nothin and I still got most of it left."- Seasick Steve

01-19-2012, 12:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
utrose Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 25 Name: Gage Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 0 Times Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Check the Plec Try not to keep him with any fish aggressive fish like African cichlids. They tend to not dislike slower moving fish like plecs. Besides that just be sure to vary his diet every so often. Give him some carnivore pellets or frozen sea food every now and then. You can get by with just the algae wafers but for optimum health i would go for the varied diet consisting of mostly algae wafers with some other carnivorous foods on the side / once or twice per week.

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01-19-2012, 01:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
hanky hanky's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 434 Location: springville ny My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 109 Times Said "Thanks" 40 Times Was Thanked 120 Times in 112 Posts	Re: Check the Plec id say hes a common pleco, can get up to 20" or so, and yes they are pretty neat looking fish __________________ 90 gallon, 1 Iridescent shark, 2 Pleco, 3 Goldfish, 5 Cory cats, 2 Nerite snails 5 gallon hex, Blue Crowntail Betta, 1 nerite snail,

01-19-2012, 07:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
Summer Susan and Bev's protégé Summer's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2,504 Name: Summer Location: Pennsylvania My location Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1,138 Times Said "Thanks" 168 Times Was Thanked 571 Times in 552 Posts	Re: Check the Plec To maximize his health feed him a variety of foods, not just algae pellets/discs. Plecos love veggies, so some sliced up zucchini is a very good start. They also need driftwood in their tank to rasp on. As I said in the pm I replied, make sure he is in a big enough tank to grow. What size tank do you have him in now? __________________ "Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

01-19-2012, 09:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
trickypetscom Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Check the Plec All, Thanks for all the advice. I don't have any driftwood in the tank, so I'll add some. Summer, I've got a 55 gallon tank, with only two other small fish currently. I actually started with about 12 basic fish 5 years ago. Most lasted several years, with these three the last survivors. I didn't replace the fish because I thought I would like to try salt water after they all passed. However, now that the pleco has turned out so well, I've reconsidered the salt water conversion for the time being. Last edited by trickypetscom : 01-19-2012 at 09:17 PM. Reason: spelling

01-19-2012, 11:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Summer Susan and Bev's protégé Summer's Photo Gallery Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2,504 Name: Summer Location: Pennsylvania My location Feedback: 11 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 1,138 Times Said "Thanks" 168 Times Was Thanked 571 Times in 552 Posts	Re: Check the Plec He will outgrow that 55 for sure, if he isnt cramped already. I'd start watching craigslist and local classifieds and see if you can score a bigger tank for a good price then you can do a sw on teh 55 ;) __________________ "Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn".-- Benjamin Franklin

01-20-2012, 12:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,415 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Check the Plec He is a nice common. Like the markings on him. Most commons live a long life as long as they have the room and quality foods. I have one that is 18 inches now, and one in a 55 that is almost 10 inches and will need to be moved soon. Get him some wood to rasp on it helps with digestion. At this size it will probably take him awhile to get used to some fresh veggies, but given time he will eat it. Once they are hitting 8 to 10 inches they can handle themselves in mildly aggressive cichlids. I keep both of mine in with victorians, a friend of mine keeps his with yellow labs and demasoni and others. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

01-21-2012, 07:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
trickypetscom Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Check the Plec Thanks SUSANKAT. I'll start thinking about a biger tank. It's hard for me to even imagine a 220 gallon tank, 4 times the volume of my 55.

01-25-2012, 03:49 AM	#14 (permalink)
trickypetscom Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Check the Plec Thanks for all the help. I have another question. Is there an ideal water temperature for a pleco? I do not heat the aquarium, so the water adjusts to the room temperature, which can get pretty cool in the winter.

01-25-2012, 08:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,415 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Check the Plec As long as the temps don't drop below 68 he should be fine. I don't use heaters in most of my tanks but the room is kept at about 77. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

02-02-2012, 11:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
trickypetscom Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 6 Times Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Check the Plec This particular room is probably always below 68 in the winter. so is a heater in order? The tank has been here since we set it up 5 years ago. It does not seem to have had an adverse affect on any of the fish, but maybe they would just do better if it were warmer. I'm also wondering if with the pleco's growing size if it might become more sensitive to the water temperature. Last edited by trickypetscom : 02-21-2012 at 12:36 AM. Reason: correct spelling

02-03-2012, 10:10 AM	#17 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,415 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Check the Plec Plecos will survive at lower temps but they do not thrive. They come from tropical waters but on the lower end of temps. They do best at temps between 72 and 77, most won't like it any warmer. Cooler temps than 68 they become sluggish and don't move around as much. But given once they get bigger they don't move as much anyway. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

02-03-2012, 12:58 PM	#20 (permalink)
susankat Pleco n bn breeder n BOSS susankat's Photo Gallery Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,415 Name: Susan Location: Tulsa, Ok Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 2,082 Times Said "Thanks" 1,610 Times Was Thanked 1,807 Times in 1,548 Posts	Re: Check the Plec Thanks for the complement. Yes I do keep plecos, several types from bristlenose to commons, I have one common that is 18 inches. I know the feeling even though been keeping fish for 30 plus years there is always something new to learn. __________________ SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!! 220 Tank build http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

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