Has anyone here ever ordered a pleco on line? If so do they aclamate easyly? or Is the motality rate high?
ordering plecos online question
- Thread starter jd_7655
- Start date
I haven't ordered them online but when we get them in at my lfs, we use the net and dump method of "acclimation" due to the long transit times-- It's actually less stressful on the fish in that scenario-- an dI have yet to see one get sick or die. They're tough little buggers.
JMO but its not really a good idea, unless they give a great warrenty on them, as you wont get a good chance to check out the condition of their eyes and belly. Much better to use an LFS where you can see before you buy.
jd,
the selection online is much bigger then you are likley to encounter at the LFS - unless you have a really amazing LFS, also the prices are likeley to be better online.
The online stock varies from dealer to dealer with some being just amazing while others are OK and an occasional one subpar - there are scammers out there so do some research about the source before sending then your money.
Shipping will take a bite , usually $20-70 depending on how much you order and how far it has to go.
Most of the people I have bought from send stuff over night , well packed with some additives to the water to subdue the fish a bit and make the trip easier on them. Usually they will fill the dry part of the bag with pure O2. Very rarley have I encountered problems with animals suffering from shipping.
As far as the acclimating goes there are a few ways to do it. Chicos is one way some people reccomend it for the reasons he mentions. I have had some problems with the fish acclimating to my waterconditions. Now I usually dump the fish & water in a small tank and add a little tankwater from the tank they will go into. Every 5 minutes I will add more and after about 5 times I will net the fish out and add it to the tank - do not add the water. This brings the PH, GH and temperature in line better and makes the adjustmen easier. Certain fish I take longer with if I know they are sensative.
Quarantine!!!!
An ick outbreak is common as are skinny and starved looking plecos ( often due to intestinal parasites) You can easily crank the temps up and medicate with Malachite green and formalin for Ick and any external parasites and Metronidazole, Levamisole with some Cravex to combat internal ones. This rarely happens but if you take precautions it will be much easier.
Once in the tank - don't feed for a day or 2 and then start lightly.
Many Online sellers advertize on Aquabid and you can usually locate them , find out about their stock and get feedback on the auctionsite to better be able to make a descision.
Good luck
the selection online is much bigger then you are likley to encounter at the LFS - unless you have a really amazing LFS, also the prices are likeley to be better online.
The online stock varies from dealer to dealer with some being just amazing while others are OK and an occasional one subpar - there are scammers out there so do some research about the source before sending then your money.
Shipping will take a bite , usually $20-70 depending on how much you order and how far it has to go.
Most of the people I have bought from send stuff over night , well packed with some additives to the water to subdue the fish a bit and make the trip easier on them. Usually they will fill the dry part of the bag with pure O2. Very rarley have I encountered problems with animals suffering from shipping.
As far as the acclimating goes there are a few ways to do it. Chicos is one way some people reccomend it for the reasons he mentions. I have had some problems with the fish acclimating to my waterconditions. Now I usually dump the fish & water in a small tank and add a little tankwater from the tank they will go into. Every 5 minutes I will add more and after about 5 times I will net the fish out and add it to the tank - do not add the water. This brings the PH, GH and temperature in line better and makes the adjustmen easier. Certain fish I take longer with if I know they are sensative.
Quarantine!!!!
An ick outbreak is common as are skinny and starved looking plecos ( often due to intestinal parasites) You can easily crank the temps up and medicate with Malachite green and formalin for Ick and any external parasites and Metronidazole, Levamisole with some Cravex to combat internal ones. This rarely happens but if you take precautions it will be much easier.
Once in the tank - don't feed for a day or 2 and then start lightly.
Many Online sellers advertize on Aquabid and you can usually locate them , find out about their stock and get feedback on the auctionsite to better be able to make a descision.
Good luck
Inxs,
I've ordered african cichlids online and the people I ordered then from said not to add water from the tank to water from the bag because of built up amonia in the bag or some thing like that so I let the bag float and when the water was the same temp I took them out and droped them in the tank. They almost didnt survive and had a rough couple of days afterward. Are you sure I can add water from the tank to water from bag? This pleco I'm ordering is gonna cost about $60 and I dont wanna lose it. Also another reason I'm concerned about aclamation is I have a high ph about 7.8 but my water is realy clean and exallent filtration
I've ordered african cichlids online and the people I ordered then from said not to add water from the tank to water from the bag because of built up amonia in the bag or some thing like that so I let the bag float and when the water was the same temp I took them out and droped them in the tank. They almost didnt survive and had a rough couple of days afterward. Are you sure I can add water from the tank to water from bag? This pleco I'm ordering is gonna cost about $60 and I dont wanna lose it. Also another reason I'm concerned about aclamation is I have a high ph about 7.8 but my water is realy clean and exallent filtration
JD,
I have bought numerous plecos online and acclimated them by slowly adding tankwater.
I also had someone tell me that you should just float the bag and then immedietly net the fish and drop it into the tank. The guy ended up being a ripoff artist "Aquariumfantasy.com" in Ohio , therefore I didn't use the advise.
My water is 7.8 ph and 11 GH - I can't keep all fish and have lost several kinds that just couldn't get acclimated to the water - it's a chance you take.
BTW - what kind of pleco are you getting? And who is the source if you don't mind me asking?
I have bought numerous plecos online and acclimated them by slowly adding tankwater.
I also had someone tell me that you should just float the bag and then immedietly net the fish and drop it into the tank. The guy ended up being a ripoff artist "Aquariumfantasy.com" in Ohio , therefore I didn't use the advise.
My water is 7.8 ph and 11 GH - I can't keep all fish and have lost several kinds that just couldn't get acclimated to the water - it's a chance you take.
BTW - what kind of pleco are you getting? And who is the source if you don't mind me asking?
I've ordered plecos online before, but the thing to remember is that shipping is high, about $35. So if you are just ordering 1 fish, its not very cost effective. I have ordered plecos from 2 sources online and had good results.
I was wondering the same thing myself.
inxs said:
I was wondering the same thing myself.
I'm not sure what I'm getting as of yet but I'm thinking along the line of a L204, L128, or L46 something cool that don't get over 6 inches. I have a 50 gallon tank and I want to get 2 or 3 cool plecos to raise with a orange pike cichlid. I have one pleco right now a L075 para pleco and I'm hoping to get him some tankmates soon.
You may want to try an L134 (<--- notice the avatar) Max size is about 4.5 You'd probably have better luck talking your LFS into ordering a plec for you than ordering one yourself. I work at UPS and I would never have a fish shipped to me. Believe me, I'm surprised they survive shipping at all.
JD,
I have the ones you mentioned and IME - the zebras will run you the most $$$ if you find them under $75 it's a deal.
The zebras are the smallest of the ones you mentioned and if you manage to find them chances are good they will be small(1.5-2").
The blue phantom (L-128) is pretty cool looking but pretty elusive and mostly nocturnal, mine is about 5" after 2 years. They don't really eat algae - mostly carnevoirs as are the zebras. You should be able to find these at $25-40
The flash plecos (L-204) are surprisingly pretty , at 4-5" mine still have clear markings and are quite outgoing, these guys will consume algae and love zuccini , for success you will want to have driftwood in with just about all plecos but especially the L-204 will love to gnaw on it. Make sure you get the REAL L-204 as many places misidentify panaque maccus (clown pleco/L-104) as L-204. These guys can probably be had for $20 or under.
L-134 that Archangel mentioned are beautiful too but I have found them to be a bit tender and they are one that I take a long time acclimating to my water. They are not the easiest to find and usually run $35 and up.
BTW, if you get fish shipped overnight there is rarely anything to worry about - I have , many times. You may want to think about the weather though - I usually don't order anything during the cold of the winter or heat of the summer.
Also - be careful putting fish in with the pike, they will try to taste test any new additions.
Good luck.
I have the ones you mentioned and IME - the zebras will run you the most $$$ if you find them under $75 it's a deal.
The zebras are the smallest of the ones you mentioned and if you manage to find them chances are good they will be small(1.5-2").
The blue phantom (L-128) is pretty cool looking but pretty elusive and mostly nocturnal, mine is about 5" after 2 years. They don't really eat algae - mostly carnevoirs as are the zebras. You should be able to find these at $25-40
The flash plecos (L-204) are surprisingly pretty , at 4-5" mine still have clear markings and are quite outgoing, these guys will consume algae and love zuccini , for success you will want to have driftwood in with just about all plecos but especially the L-204 will love to gnaw on it. Make sure you get the REAL L-204 as many places misidentify panaque maccus (clown pleco/L-104) as L-204. These guys can probably be had for $20 or under.
L-134 that Archangel mentioned are beautiful too but I have found them to be a bit tender and they are one that I take a long time acclimating to my water. They are not the easiest to find and usually run $35 and up.
BTW, if you get fish shipped overnight there is rarely anything to worry about - I have , many times. You may want to think about the weather though - I usually don't order anything during the cold of the winter or heat of the summer.
Also - be careful putting fish in with the pike, they will try to taste test any new additions.
Good luck.