Howdy, saying hello and meet my fish

[GhettoPhish]

Well I just recently found this site, and bravo, got another week reading just in last years posts. lol. Any who I dont have batteries for my camera right now, but I would like to mention to yall whats in my tank and what I plan to do.

I know its a little crowded, but I do frequent water changes, and have a 55g on the way, whats in the ten gallon tank is as follows

-5 zebra danios (3 of them are like 2 1/2 years old)
-3 Fancy guppys (1 male 2 females, both pregnant and about to go in my 3 gal birthing tank with net)
-2 African Dwarf Frogs
-1 Common Pleco (about 6 inches long, he deserves a new home )

Any who every one has been living together in harmony for a while, just got the frogs. The fry from my guppies goes to my buddies 5 chilid tanks but I plan on using a 20g and my currently in use 10g for breeding when I get my larger tank (for chilids). Dont really have any direct questions as of now, but would love thoughts and opinions. The only real thing that has been bothering me is that my pleco, who I have had for about a year now, will not eat the algea wafers that I put in at night. Havent tried zucinni yet, but was wandering if there might be a good way to get the pleco interested in the wafer.. thanks alot in advance

Dean

 

[tbone]

I believe that it's the fact he's gotten so big. it now cant pick off bits of algea from the wafer, the wafers are pretty hard and now it's that he'd have to eat the whole thing in one go. I'm no pleco expert here but they dont have the teeth to chew something that hard so I'td have to swallow it whole(but cant). I would definatly go with cucumbers or other veggies. Some people have suggested lightly blanched lettuce and lots of other things.

Other then the pleco in your 10 gallon It's not 'that' bad theres been worse cases of overstocking. I don't mean to sound like I know it all (cuz I dont) but a 55 might not be even adequite for a pleco it's doable but a 55 is bare minimum, and would certainly be happier in a larger tank.

 

[Leopardess]

Welcome! Thank you for your nice comments in my frog article, btw.

Now, let's see. It's a good thing that 55g is on the way - your pleco is likely stunted in growth. Try to move him into a bigger tank ASAP. When you do upgrade, I would suggest leaving the frogs in the 10g, and either getting more if you want, or getting some other small fish to accompany them. Feeding frogs in tanks as big as a 55g can be very problematic. Especially if you have bottom-feeding fish such as plecos.

A pleco, even full grown, would be able to eat an algae wafer with no problem at all. What else do you feed him? I would definitely try the zucchini or cucumber. Larger plecos often also like to eat meaty foods such as krill, shrimp pellets, etc.

Without the pleco, your tank is not horribly overstocked, as tbone mentioned.

 

[Harlock]

Just a heads up, a healthy common pleco will outgrow a 55 gallon. I'd leave the guppies and frogs in the 10 gallon tank an instead of investin in a 20 g setup, simply add sufficient light and plant the 10 gallon for fry. This is just my bias, because I think planted tanks rock and that everyone should have them. They are not nearly as hard or as work intensive as you might think. I mean, if I can do it, anyone can, and I really mean that. Plus, I feel they are prettier and healthier for the fish. The danios will certainly appreciate a little more room to swim around in, so I do hope they are bound for the 55. Best of luck.

 

[GhettoPhish]

Thanks alot everyone! BTW Im a male not a female I think Im giving my buddy my pleco to go in his 75 and picking up one of his albino pleco fry. My frogs will miss him :girl:

Oh and honestly, ive never seen my pleco eat anything, except the algae on the sides of the glass and under "his" cave. his storage area behind his eyes is all good, so hes eating properly.. might just get the bigger stuff at night.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Thanks alot everyone! BTW Im a male not a female

Oy! You should change your little profile thingy under your name then. Says you're a girl.