Can I Have A Common Plec And A Shrimp In Together?

[Shantih]

Hi all,

As titled, can i have a shrimp and a plec in a tank together. I have 5 mollies 5 neon tetras and a common plec in a 48 litre tank.

Thanks in advance
Nicola

 

[indigoj]

simple answer - no your tank is too small for a plec - you should swap the plec for a couple of shrimp!

I also think you have too many mollys for a 48l....

 

[mwood2]

Commen Plecs are far to large for a tank that size. I would suggest rehoming him and then adding some shrimp. Also if you could get your hand on a BN pleco you may be able to fit him into your tank since they grow up to 4in tops. Commons grow well over a foot.

 

[indigoj]

Commen Plecs are far to large for a tank that size. I would suggest rehoming him and then adding some shrimp. Also if you could get your hand on a BN pleco you may be able to fit him into your tank since they grow up to 4in tops. Commons grow well over a foot.

BN can reach 6" and need 80l+ They can manage in a 2ft long understocked 60l but def. not 48l.

 

[Truck]

48 litres is way too small for the pleco and even the mollies

 

[Shantih]

I don't understand, my tank "looks" empty ish and my fish seem happy? The plec is only small (maybe a baby?) he's currently under 4 inches long?

 

[indigoj]

You need to think in terms of adult size and the potential for stunting fish if kept in too small a tank.

 

[Shantih]

why do the mollies grow too big for a 48 liter? yes i understand the plec will grow too big but i am getting a bigger tank as soon as i find one in budget anyway, hence why i got a baby plec, is this not ok then?

 

[indigoj]

Mollys can hit 4"

Plecs can hit 12" within a year, keeping them in too small a tank for any length of time (beyond say a 4 week quarentine period) can cause stunting. They are also very messy- produce a lot of waste - so making it hard to keep ammonia under control in a new small tank. (unfortunately this is where many end up too..)

 

[Shantih]

what? my little 1 1/2 inch mollies can grow up to 4 inch!!!!!!!!! now i am questioning if they really are mollies, thats what the lad at the fish shop said..........

 

[mwood2]

Dont trust what LFS say unless you know they are reputable. Stores like Petco and petsmart tend to feed alot of crap when selling fish. I just got back from there and told this group that they didnt need aquarium salt and that in many cases can cause more harm then good depending on what species are kept. After I told them that when they left the area the employee told them I was lying so that annoyed me a lot. Anyways always do your research on any species you buy and rely on yourself more then the store. I keep molly and have had them breed even. I started with a single Molly in a 5 gallon and then moved to a 10 gallon and then a 30 to get my current stock in my sig.

 

[Shantih]

Dont trust what LFS say unless you know they are reputable. Stores like Petco and petsmart tend to feed alot of crap when selling fish. I just got back from there and told this group that they didnt need aquarium salt and that in many cases can cause more harm then good depending on what species are kept. After I told them that when they left the area the employee told them I was lying so that annoyed me a lot. Anyways always do your research on any species you buy and rely on yourself more then the store. I keep molly and have had them breed even. I started with a single Molly in a 5 gallon and then moved to a 10 gallon and then a 30 to get my current stock in my sig.

Jeez am amazed, well i have been to pets at home and that is where i have had most of my fish from, i have stopped using them though as i have had problems with fish dying from there. I am off to a big store in leeds tomorrow for a look round to see what theyre like

 

[indigoj]

Pets@Home vary incredibly across the country - the ones here are pretty decent.

This is def. an addictive hobby. I started with 1 3ft (100l) tank and at one point had 11 tanks running - now got 4 running and 2 empty ranging from 60l-650l

I'd put money on you getting a bigger tank LOL almost everyone does....

 

[Shantih]

haha i know i am already addicted and have seen my ultimate end tank that i will have one day......

at 600 quid it will have to wait a while though

 

[indigoj]

Off topic but can I ask, is your user name taken from the 'Jinny' books?