Question about housing plecos

S

soneji

Registered Member
Jan 22, 2006
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Hey there, I have a question regarding plecos and tank size that I'm hoping you guys can help with.

Up until a week ago, I'd had a 40gallon housing a 6" common pleco (male), pair of black loaches, male betta, and a small school of guppies (5). However, a friend who was moving left his marbled sailfin pleco (female) quite literally on my doorstep one morning. Apparently she'd been living in a 10 gallon tank in his basement for roughly the last four years in well water (upon calling him, he described it as being full of algae and small white worms).

Right now she's living in a quarantine tank, where she'll be staying until I'm sure she's well enough to move into a communal setting. My questions were basically, is there room for another 7" of pleco in the 40g, or should I upgrade/get her her own tank; if there's space, should I be concerned about compatability? The only other pleco owner I know in person warned me that hers fought each other whenever introduced.

Thanks for reading.
 
I dont know much about plecos. But watch out for ots/nts.
 
Your tank isnt very suited for a pleco (let alone another), but anything is better than living in a 10g tank.
 
40 gallons is pushing it for one pleco, much less two. If you're willing to upgrade to a bigger tank, go as big as you can, and see if both will live together.

To calm agression, use caves at opposite ends of the tank, and lots of food in the center. I've noticed when my plecs are hungry and there's only a little food to be had, there's a lot of bumping and pushing and angry fin flaring. When there's a lot of food at hand, there's just some gentle bumping to get better position. Of course, you take the leftovers out in the morning, but well fed plecos are often less agressive.

Having said that, occasionally you'll get an evil fish that just can't share a tank.
 
Thanks a lot for the replies. :)
I definately have no problem upgrading tank size if they'll need it, I'd rather be out some money and have happy, healthy fish.
Will certainly also give the multiple-caves a try, anything to keep them at peace when she moves into the main tank.
 
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