Common Pleco MIA

[Medusa]

I just got a common pleco who has been hiding since I got him. I read they hide during the day and venture out at night. I was wondering if people here who have common pleco's see them at all during the day. Would it help if I got moonlighting for the tank?

Thanks

 

[Erised]

Mine is out all the time, but I'm simply very lucky. Most catfish are nocturnal, and only come out at night. Adding a moonlight however, should help. You can turn it on after you turn your normal lights off, and if it's not too bright he should come out of his hiding spot.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

It seems the common plecs will hide at first, but once they settle in, they come out more often. My commons are visible most of the time now.

As soon as I put a piece of zucchini in the tank, they are on it within a few minutes no matter what time of day it is.

 

[Medusa]

Thanks for the advice. I have seen him randomly when I turn on the lights and/or enter the room but he always hides once he sees me and I cannot, for the life of me, figure out his hiding spot. I'm worried about feeding. How can I feed him or leave food for him if I don't know where he's hiding? The other fish are such scavengers I'm sure they'lle eat it up before he even gets to it.

 

[Raechal]

Mine is out all the time, but I'm simply very lucky. Most catfish are nocturnal, and only come out at night. Adding a moonlight however, should help. You can turn it on after you turn your normal lights off, and if it's not too bright he should come out of his hiding spot.

Mine is always out as well. I am thinking he got used to being out in the light as the person I got him from (he came with the 55 gallon my mom bought at a yardsale for $50) didn't have anywhere dark for him to hide. It was just gravel and water basically, so he was always out in the open. I've provided many hiding spots for him, but he prefers to show his pretty self in the daylight. He also gets extra food for it.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I know what you mean! I used to worry about that, too. If he gets hungry enough, he'll find the food!

Do you give him algae tabs? Mine get very possessive of their tabs and don't let the others take it away.

Also - do you have a cave? I had one that used to hide in the cave under the roof. I thought he was missing, too, until I picked it up and turned it over!

Have you tried zucchini?

 

[hellohefalump]

my common plec never came out, but as he settled in he started coming out more and more. I've had him about a year now and he's out most of the time. He likes algae wafers and has recently discovered fish flakes (the ones that the fish don't see that sink to the bottom).

 

[daudy_dojo]

mine is out all day BUT he chills under his cave in the shade B) i wonder if he thinks he is cool or something!