Fighting Plecs

[langy]

I've had my tank for a coupe of months now and i have gold spot plec (4" long). I was visiting a friend over the weekend who had various fish that he wanted to get rid of to make way for a marine set-up, so i took them off his hands.

1 of fish is another plec (don't know what sort) but he is approx 5 to 5 1/2" long and ever since my gold spot plec woke up he has been constantly chasing 'new' plec around and 'sucking' him like crazy and i'm sure it's not

This morning they were at opposite ends of the tank and i didn't see any more mrks on the larger of the 2.

I know plecs can be teratorial, but is there anything i can do to make it a happier tank.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[KathyM]

How big is your tank? That could be a factor, especially if the other plec is a common (as they're one of the most territorial).

 

[langy]

Tank is a Juwel Rio 180 litres

 

[KathyM]

Ahh right so while they're little that's okay (although you'll want to be finding a bigger one eventually as L001s grow to 20" and if your other one is a common, he'll get even bigger).

Sometimes plecs just dont get on - if it carries on or gets worse, I'd consider rehoming one or putting him in another tank. I hope it all settles down for you!

 

[langy]

Thanks for the words of advice i'll keep my eyes on them and hopefully they'll start to best of tank mates in the near future

 

[Bloo]

From what I know, gold spots are extremely territorial.

 

[langy]

From what I know, gold spots are extremely territorial.

So i've noticed

 

[PlecMama]

I've got two biggies in my 6ft and Malcolm sometimes chases Nessie off when the food comes, yet they will share a bit of cucumber. He will not share his tubifex cubes though.

But he doesn't hurt her, he just sort of nods his head towards her and she moves.

He does sometimes swim after her but if she stops, he just gibby-slaps her with his fin and she moves. They don't actually hook it up.

Make sure they have very definate places at opposite ends that they know are their lairs. If everyone likes the same cave, take it all out and start again. Eventually they will claim a space each and stay out of each others way - hopefully.

 

[langy]

OK just as an update, my 2 plecs seemed to have settled down The gold spot is not chasing the other around as much and the scales on the 'large' one seem to be returning to there former glory rather than looking like he has been rubbed with sand paper

Happy families once again.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

In my honest opinion, i don't really think its fair to stick plecs together that are terotoriral by nature and do not get along- yours may be getting along much better now, but things can change quickly. Do you have any idea what sort of plec you have adopted? Its important to ID him/her .

 

[langy]

Do you have any idea what sort of plec you have adopted? Its important to ID him/her .

I doon't know what it is, i'll take a picture and post it up in the next few days.