Growing Pleco...

Fishfriend1

Fishfriend1

Fishlover Extraordinaire
Dec 11, 2009
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Southeastern PA
Real Name
Mr. Palmer
So, around 2 months ago or so I took in some fish from a friend. The fish consisted of 2 Silver Dollars (one died due to old tank syndrome and my forgetfulness, the other has been rehomed), 4 black skirt tetras (all doing fine and eating more than they have any right to eat) and 1 common pleco that was about 1.5in long. So, 2 months later I feed the fish - haven't seen any of my 3 plecos for ages, but they usually hide anyway - and BAM. 3-4in of pleco sitting in the bottom of my tank, stirring up a bit of debris and scaring the crap out of my cories. The tank is 75 gallons, heavily planted, and way overfiltered (2 2217 Eheim Canisters) so I don't think it will become an issue, but they grow like a foot long and I was expecting it to take a few years to get to full size, allowing me time to get a larger tank or find it a new home.

Is this growth rate normal or was the fish I took in stunted and finally getting bigger? And either way, do I need to be worried about it harassing the other two pleco (both have a max size of 4-5in) or will it mind it's own business regardless? And about how long do I have before it weighs more than my filters (:laugh:)?
 
I can't say how long it takes to reach the mature size, but remember that fish continue to grow most of their life, and the maximum for this species is anywhere from 12 to 20 inches. And it is common for this fish to live 20-30 years.

But I can offer some advice on your other question. As with all loricariids, males are territorial, often very much so. If this common pleco is a male, watch out; he is capable of killing other male pleco. And while otherwise generally a peaceful species, there are reports of fish eating smaller fish. I would fear for the corys; but upper fish too as this pleco is primarily a nocturnal feeder. Driftwood must be provided as part of their dietary needs; as they mature, they eat less and less algae and become more carnivorous.

Byron.
 
I never knew pleco's were carnivores, interesting to know. I'll probably rehome him sooner than later. The tank has loads of driftwood (like, 15 or so peices ranging in size from fist sized to 4ft long) so no worries there. Do you know if males will still be territorial even if they were the last fish added or are they more similar to angels and rams, where being the last added means they accept existing territories?
 
Common plecos become full carnivores. I feed mine giant carnivore pellets as well as zuch and algae wafers.
 
Fishfriend1 said:
I never knew pleco's were carnivores, interesting to know. I'll probably rehome him sooner than later. The tank has loads of driftwood (like, 15 or so peices ranging in size from fist sized to 4ft long) so no worries there. Do you know if males will still be territorial even if they were the last fish added or are they more similar to angels and rams, where being the last added means they accept existing territories?
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I don't want to mislead about the "carnivore" word...what I intended to say (and probably used the wrong words to say it) was that as they mature they eat more and more "meat" as in worms, insect larvae, etc., and less algae. Sorry if I confused.:duh:

On the territoriality, I am assuming you are referring to adding the pleco last, after the other fish species (like some suggest with cichlids). But male pleco have an inherent instinct to establish their territory and a male will, no matter who the tankmates are (aside from other pleco of course). Some suggest adding two males together in the hopes that they will manage their individual territories, but that is not what you are dealing with here.

Byron.
 
Ok, a few more questions:

1) Will males of difference species fight over the same territory like cichlids or will males of different species ignore each other? I read elsewhere that different species are more tolerant of one another.
2) If they're all female will they be fine together?
3) If female will it still be a threat to other fish as a carnivore, or will it be more passive?

I've never kept common pleco's before (I have a Thomasi Pleco and Rio Negro pleco and they both don't get too large. I honestly was never planning to get a common of any type, since they get a bit large for my tank (75gal), so forgive the unpreparedness. Since neither of my other pleco's had grown even a fraction of the speed this bugger did (we're seriously talking about more than doubling its size) I was confused haha. Glad I decided to ask around.
 
Fishfriend1 said:
Ok, a few more questions:

1) Will males of difference species fight over the same territory like cichlids or will males of different species ignore each other? I read elsewhere that different species are more tolerant of one another.
2) If they're all female will they be fine together?
3) If female will it still be a threat to other fish as a carnivore, or will it be more passive?

I've never kept common pleco's before (I have a Thomasi Pleco and Rio Negro pleco and they both don't get too large. I honestly was never planning to get a common of any type, since they get a bit large for my tank (75gal), so forgive the unpreparedness. Since neither of my other pleco's had grown even a fraction of the speed this bugger did (we're seriously talking about more than doubling its size) I was confused haha. Glad I decided to ask around.
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I have very little experience with mixing plecos, so will let others answer your first (and second) question. However, speaking generally with loricariids, males are males to each other regardless of species, so I would be cautious. As for eating smaller fish, I doubt the sex matters, lol. Any 12+ inch fish in a tank with 2-3 inch fish may decide to chow down.

I would find a new home for this pleco soon; it is better for the fish to have a larger environment, as small spaces can stress them and causwe other issues.,
 
As with anything else, it mainly depends on the fish itself. You call it a "common pleco" however that term is used to describe many varieties and lacks positive identification. With a generic moniker it's hard to say how it will behave. I kept mine (disjunctivus)with Oscars and Silver Dollars. Yes, they can be moody and push other fish around and/or harm them. No, they don't mix well with other males. I would suggest that you go to http://www.planetcatfish.com for accurate information and identification.

As already mentioned, yes they will get to roughly 20 in. They grow in spurts and generally slow down when they hit 15". They will grow their entire life but quite slowly from 12" on. I recommend a tank of at least 72" in length for them. I also agree that they will transition from algae to a more meat-based food. I usually fed mine "Catfish and bottom feeder pellets". I have seen them eat food from the surface but not as a regular feeding.
 
In all honesty, I have no idea what specific species it is - with my lighting all I can tell is that it's giant, dark colored, and spotted with small spots. Basically, most pleco species fit this one in description. Since I expected it to take longer to grow I thought I had more time haha. I went looking for it again just now, but it's completely hidden - how a 3-4in fish like that can hide I will never know. Anyway, I'll try to rehome it as soon as I can a) catch the bugger, and b) find a new home.

Thanks for the info! PlanetCatFish is surprisingly helpful, though it had so many possible candidates I couldn't figure out which species mine is. I'll keep looking for now :)
 
Ok, so, borrowed a smaller light and used it to get a good look, the pleco is basically black, gray, and brown with no distinct patterns or spots... it has fins that are stubby in the extreme as well. I did notice, as best I could without it flaring, that its tailfin had what looked to be either a yellow stripe or yellow-ish dots that were just close together.

It appears to be more or less healthy, if annoyed at me for spooking it with the light.
 
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