I have a three year old pleco.
It has started an entirely new behavior while I am suctioning the gravel of the tank.
It was afraid/indifferent to the suction tube until recently, and now it charges the tube and bashes it with its head.
If I move to another spot to vacuum, it will follow and continue the attack. It is very determined to bash the tube.
Is this general territorial behavior, or mating territorial, or just odd??
Thanks.

Sounds territorial though I really don't know. I never see my pleco. He hides under a piece of driftwood durning the day and goes on the prowl at night. I'll be interested in hearing what others say about your guy.

I think it might be fairly typical of plecos as they mature, I'm sure some one with more knowledge will chime in though.

That is very odd. I'm not a Pleco expert, by any means, but I had one that was 7-8 years old and about a foot long and he/she? never got territorial with anyone or anything. He did his best to avoid the tube when I was suctioning. He would occassionally get picked on by some other tank inhabitant but never retaliated. I would remove the agressor because I loved my Pleco.

Anyway - I hope someone can shed some light on this for you.

Just one other thought, maybe he's just wants to check out what you are vacuuming up. As a scavenger he might think that is HIS job!

Dulcie

It basically depends on the type of pleco, there is some that can be very territorial.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html