Gibbiceps Pleco?

[xx-miss-limber-xx]

About 6 months ago I bought a gibbiceps pleco... hes beautiful, really nice colouring and pattern. I think people refer to them as sailfin plecos aswell? Anyways.. I just read on this forum that "common plecos" grow enormous, and I have seen HUGE ones in my LFS (over a foot long) but they dont really look like my little fellow... theyre always a bit... ugly looking and a bit dull... not the same colours or patter as mine has.

Now im worried that my pleco will get this big and I wont know what do do with him. Anyone know about these plecos? Is mine a "common pleco" and will he get that big?

He looks almost identical to this one.... http/www.plecofanatics.com/gallery/files...sailfin0010.jpg

Thanks in advance for any advice xx

 

[Kizz]

You got any pic's? Would help us in telling you what kind he is

 

[Curiosity101]

If it is a true Gibbiceps (Sailfin pleco...leopard sailfin pleco) etc etc.

Then they should grow up to around 50cm.

The specimen in the picture you gave will grow to around 50cm.

But Kizz is right, a picture of your lil guy is the only way to really tell.

 

[xx-miss-limber-xx]

He literally is identical to the one in the pic. Defo same breed of fish, I broke my digital camera so cant take on of him. 50 cm. ####. lol

 

[Davo86]

P.Gibbiceps is one of the larger common species so yes 12-15" should easily be achieved, and 18-24" is possible

 

[skippy_49nz]

Where you got it from should have told you how big its likely to get. I have one also but only the one because I don't have the space for anymore when it gets full size. They can look really good. They seem to all have slightly different patterns and one my sister has looks stunning.

 

[xx-miss-limber-xx]

I wont be able to keep him owwwwh why dont they stay small lol

I only have a 60 litre (UK) tank... so MUCH too small for him.

Im so sad. He has his own little home in the form of a sunken ship ornament that he dominates and pokes his little head out alot to look around (so cute)

What am I gonna do! Hes a #### to catch aswell... When I moved tanks I had to try and catch him and it took nearly an hour non stop. lol

I cant believe they didnt tell me. They knew what size tank I have. Ah Sh*t. Thanks for the replies.

 

[skippy_49nz]

In a 60L I would recommend a bristlenose or some variety of hypan if you want a smaller pleco. You may even have some that we can't get our hands on here in NZ which would also be good.

 

[matty_022001]

Hi everyone, I remember when i brought my first pleco 10 years ago the shop never told me what kind of plec it was only that it would grow to 5", which was wrong cuz she grew to 16" but luckily a had a 6ft tank which held atleast 450L of water, so the problem with some pet shops is that they dont know themselves half the time what kinda fish they are gettin delivered.

 

[indigoj]

Personally I would see if you can swap him for something more suitable - I also would not recommend any plec for a 60l tank other than a small group of otocinclus, even bristlenose can reach 6" and need more space than that.

By the way, when I had my gibbiceps he hit 10" within 12 months - they grow about 1-1.5" a month during the first 8 months or so.

 

[typhoon]

what i dont get is why the hell do pet shops and lfs's sell the plecs without giving out the info, pet shops may nt be experts but they no full well hw big these plecs grow its so obvious what kind they are and yet they keep selling them withotu checking.

yet most wont accept them back as they say they cant sell them on, its ridiculous.