sick (?) pleco slowly starving to death

Srenaeb said:
I really like him but I'd rather give him away to a good home than see him die in my care.
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Kudos to you. This is possibly the most mature statement that any pet owner can ever make. (I wish my father had come to this decision about his cat a few years ago. That did not end well.)

I think that you've found the best course of action here, and even though it will be hard for you, it's worth it to find someone out there with a tank that's 2 feet or longer, to see if this little guy can make it. Talk to the petstore about taking him, or else helping you find an appropriately sized home, or post on forums like this one to see if anyone in your area could re-home him. Ask around, to see if your friends/family know anyone with a large, freshwater tank. The sooner you start looking, the sooner your guy can get used to his new digs.
:)
 
;_;

thanks for being honest, even though it made me cry in public.

I will post on craigslist right away. Are any of you in Vancouver, BC?

How big of an environment will he need?
can someone confirm that he a common? and if so what's the proper name on planetcatfish? (is my dear Leopard a boy or a girl?)
I don't know enough about fish to tell; pictures on planetcatfish all look pretty well the same to me.
 
my computer only lets some pics show up, its messed up. your pic is one of the few that doesn't show up or i would help you out on an id.
if the pics look the same as yours like you said then it is most likely a common
good luck with him :-)
 
Don't beat yourself up over it. most pet stores tell you nothing about fish and just sell the fish to sell it. They could care less that it will grow to large. Most mom and pop style pet stores will take in these guys. Some will even give you credit back. You might be able to use that credit and get a molly or some type of mid to top water small fish. I found the small mom and pop shops know what they are doing so ask questions to them. But most pet smart petco type places are just some highschool kid who doesn't know anything other then how to clean the tank.

My dad had a pleco that was way to huge for his tank, he didn't understand when I took the fish in and gave it to the pet store. Some guy saw me walking in with it and asked me if he could have it. He was looking for one for a huge setup he had and nobdy had them that big. It worked out perfect, and I am sure the fish is in a happy home. The fact that you understand it's better for the fish means you are a very mature owner.
 
how big of a tank will he need to grow to full size?

I want to make sure the pet store and/or foster home will be big enough.
(also...I will try begging my family to let me get another tank...)

I heard 1-2 Gallon per inch... he's about erh, 5 inches right now? 4? terrible at estimating. That's why I didn't think the 10G was too small for him, but thinking back, he *has* gotten stuck in a decorativecave before...
 
The most important thing for a pleco is the footprint of the tank. So what I am saying is the length and width is important but not the height since they stay on the bottom. I would say like a 4 foot long tank. A common one is a 55 gallon. they have 33 longs too. Obviously the 55 is better then the 33 because the more water the healthier the fish but if your on a budget I could understand doing the 33. I have never kept a large pleco not having a large enough tank but this would be my idea. Let the pleco experts chime in though before you run out with your checkbook. LOL.

Just think of it this way too, if you get a larger tank you have more room for even more fish. LOL Use the pleco as a excuse to upgrade, I did it, my girlfriend caught on but it worked and she was only mad at me for a short period of time.
 
thanks,

re-homeing ads have gone up on craigslist....
I do really hope someone has a free tank to give me.
I'd much rather have him stay with me, if either option is available.
as a starving student I simply don't have the hundreds of dollars for such a big tank
 
Hi Srenaeb,
And welcome to AC!
I'm wondering if you have a Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps. Can you get some more pictures up? If it is, it is supposed to grow to 20".
I've posted your ventral view picture first and the second one is from www.scotcat.com/loricariidae/pterygoplichthys...

gibby1.jpg g_gibbiceps3.jpg
 
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Wow the pattern underneath is "SPOT on" (*ahem* sorry)
I'll post more pictures of him when I get home.
Judging from the pictures on scotcat, Leopard isn't as "fancy" looking though

in other news :
someone is willing to sell me a bare 72 gallon for super cheap,
and someone else is willing to take Leopard into his home.
Now the choice becomes if a pratical newbie like me can set up a 72 gallon properly
 
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