Common Pleco

[CrystalClear16]

So when I was new to fish I trusted the LFS much more than I should have. On their advice about an algae problem I bought a common pleco (called Lurch ), on the basis that it would sort out my algae and was already fully grown at 3".

Well, that was 6 years ago now and of course, they were very wrong.

I have a 54L tank which is 60cm x 30cm x 30cm and he is approx. 7inches long. He is absolutley beautiful, but now that I understand him a bit better (I only learnt what he was called a few weeks ago) I am worried he has outgrown the tank. Plus I now realise they can grow to be 15", so I am really concerned that I have inadvertantly stunted his growth already.

I am very very attached to him and can't afford a bigger tank right now, though we are planning to get a bigger one in a year or so. On the other hand there is no way I ever want to have an unhappy, cramping fish since it is cruel.

He does have room to stretch out and swim from one side of the tank to the other, but he usually chooses to lie sort of curled upwards against the castle (i.e. tail flat against the gravel, head resting on the top of the castle). Is this usual or a sign of being unhappy? I love Lurch to bits, but if I need to give him away to avoid making him unhappy I will do.

 

[aly_starh]

I also rehomed mine, "they grow really slow" the women said

I think there min. tank size is something like 300l not sure but, check on google.
If your new bigger tank wont be that size or bigger i would say rehome him. As he is big he may be quite a few ££££

 

[JenCliBee]

6 years old and been kept in that size tank for the whole time and is only 7 inches, yes he will be stunted and quite frankly probably in considerable pain due to it. The plec really, fed correctly and housed correctly should have reached around 9-11inches within the first 12 months.

I'm not sure how to advise you, considering the damage would have already been done and his life considerably shortened but even at 7 inch he is to big for your tank.

Idea would be to re house him within a much larger tank so he could at least live out his final years as happy as possible, im afraid in a 60 litres tank no matter how much room you think his has isn't gonna make him happy and is certainly to small to even consider keeping him.

Sorry for the lack of positiveness but im afraid its really what was needed to be herd

 

[CrystalClear16]

Oh no! Poor poor Lurch, I am very sorry

Thank you for all your advice, I am going to find him a new home.

If your interested please see here - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=309518