Royal pleco - general questions

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QCppg

Carp for brains!
May 4, 2004
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I am interested in the possibility of getting a royal at some point. My question is could it be kept in my 55 Angel tank, or would it have problems with my existing pleco (common, 10" long). I don't have a job right now, and I may still have neon disease even though I can't see any fish that are infected at the moment. The tank is heavialy planted with hornwort and anacaris, and when I get some more money I plan to get some sword plants. I still don't have driftwood but that'll change next time I go fishing. Anyways I just want some more info on this fish, and to know if I can keep it in that tank. If the answer's no I won't be terribly disappointed. Thanks.
 
I would say no simply because he will get too big with another Pleco already in there. royals usually push the 12" mark when adults, and in a 55 there really isn't room for two big plecos. I have been told that they will get along with other pleco's though. I have never kept two pleco's in a tank, so I don't know for sure if it would work. They definately are driftwood eaters, I have 5 peices of wood in my tank, and he keeps them all scraped clean at all times. really makes the wood look good with no algea or decayed wood.
Dave
 
I have heard just the opposite about Royals. Form what I understand, they are one of the more territorial plecos, to the point where if the aquarium is to small, it may seriously injure or even kill the other one. So for your aquarium, I would definately say no.
 
jamzwayne said:
Haggisman
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Has multiple PL3CO's in his tanks.
Click to expand...


Ah but temperments vary drastically in these fish, some species are visiously territorial, other don't care.
I've not heard any negatives on Royals, but haven't done a lot of research either because I don't intend to get another pleco. My royal does rule the tank, and he is in there with some pretty tough caracters. But at the same time he doesn't directly attack the other fish for no reason, he just bullies for food and hiding spaces when he takes a notion.
Dave
 
IME, which is somewhat limited on Royals - which are a lot bigger than I usually keep - they are more likely to exhibit territoriality at a seroius level with other Royals, or in competition for refuges and driftwood. BTW, they one of the fish which do have the right bacteria to digest wood scrapings, just like termites.
 
My current pleco lived in my dad's 18h with another equal-sized pleco for several years (not by choice, our only other tank at the time had a tinfoil barb that killed everything else in the tank). THey never fought, but neither was all that happy. This perticular pleco is easygoing when other plecos are involved. So the only issue with territoriality would be with the royal.

Thanks for the info, and I am still willing to accept more.
 
Speaking of sizes (and I dont mean to hi-jack QCppg's thread)

What is the growth rate of a common Pl3co? I hear they can get to 12"....others say they can get up to 18" :eek:

I have had mine for about a month and it seems he has grown an inch already.
 
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