Gibbiceps Tank Size?

[Glenbo1981]

I have a Gibbiceps (sail Fin plec) in my 4ft (100g) NW Cichlid Community set up.

He is peaceful (but very messy!)

What is alarming me is the rate of his growth,I bought him 2 months ago and he has grown fro mthe size of my thumb nail to nearly 5" already! hes a eating machine!

I know these guys can get to 20" (so most sources say) what is the average for size for these fish?

And is my tank big enough? it is 100g 4ft long x 26" high x 18"-21" wide (bow front)

I have seen some full grown guys in the hsops and they look like monsters!

Shall I trade him in now and buy something like a Gold Nugget or a Royal Plec before he is impossible to rehome? Or will he be fine in my tank?

 

[JenCliBee]

Average is about 15-18 inches but be prepared they can and do grow past 20 inches, in theory a tank that is 4x2x2 would be big enough with 5x2x2 been much better.... what you have to think is if he does get to 22 inches can he turn round in your tank comfortably enough?(that means without effort)


I personally would rehome him while he is still young.... maybe back to your LFS or someone who has a tank sufficient enough.

 

[skippy_49nz]

Royals can get about as big, although they tend to grow quite slowly.

 

[helterskelter]

I've seen a royal 1m long much bigger than gibby's but that was though to be 15+ years

The largest Gibby i seen is over 24" and is in a 6ft with 6 gold fish and a massive sump filter.

Personally i would rehome it now and get something a little smaller. Or if u want a large pleco look up addonis pleco's

Google search

 

[indigoj]

Personally I wouldn't have an adult gibby in anything smaller than 6x2x2, my old one reached 12" within a year.

I'd trade him in and get something like a Magnum or even something a bit smaller like a green phantom.

 

[pippoodle]

i have 2 commons in my 4 ft they are only 5 and 6 inches at the mo but i already have a guarenteed home for them when they grow too large as i wanted to make sure they could be rehomed when they were bigger

If you can find somewhere (mine can either go to a private breeder - for use in his 6 ft sump tank ) - he has huge set up and keeps a 6ft sump to run the other tanks and he has 1 common in there but can home more)
the other place is a mate with a 6 ft tank and my back up is my lfs they home them in their sump tanks

This way i can still enjoy them til they get too big then know they have got somewhere to go and live out the rest of their days

I didnt buy mine - i adopted them with a tank i purchased

 

[JenCliBee]

I've seen a royal 1m long much bigger than gibby's but that was though to be 15+ years

The largest Gibby i seen is over 24" and is in a 6ft with 6 gold fish and a massive sump filter.

Personally i would rehome it now and get something a little smaller. Or if u want a large pleco look up addonis pleco's

Google search

Sorry i dont understand, youve just advised to rehome a gibbicep plec and then mention getting an addonis which grows nearly double the size?.... Not to mention they are very aggressive.

 

[Glenbo1981]

LOL!

So whats some cheap,pretty not so big Plecs?

None of these £100 a fish jobbys.

I never had much luck with Bristlenoses for soem reason but my mate sells them for a £1 each so might grab a couple to replace my Gibbi with.

 

[indigoj]

Green Phantom
Starlight Bristlemose
Magnum

Getting 3 BN's off your mate could be an idea but make sure they are large enough not to be eaten!

 

[JenCliBee]

LOL!

So whats some cheap,pretty not so big Plecs?

None of these £100 a fish jobbys.

I never had much luck with Bristlenoses for soem reason but my mate sells them for a £1 each so might grab a couple to replace my Gibbi with.

Sounds a good plan m8, BN's are always a nice addition to any tank, other options mite be clown plecs but you will need wood in the tank... other than that there is quite a few plecs that dont get past 7-8 inches which would be suitable and most will be under the £50 mark.

 

[mixmaster jay]

my gibby is @ 12" and growing well and i have a common @ 13" my mate has a gibby in his 10ft tank @ 2ft

 

[Glenbo1981]

Loadsa wood here

I'm not a big fan of plecs to be fair but they do a awesoem job of cleaning algae (my 10ft window is right opposite my tank)

I can't have other Algae eating creatures liek snails and Shrimp because of my stock (cichlids and Clown Loaches)

How many Bristlenoses or Clown Plecs would you recommend in my current tank with my current stocking? I'll rehome my Gibbi tommorow if I get the chance.

Heres my tank in detail for anybody interested or anybody wanting to give suggestions

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=297079

I'm really interested in Gold Nugget Plecs but I heard you have to specialise feed them which sounds liek effort

I usually put on Algae wafer in my tank twice a week which my Severums tend to eat anyway and I feed the tank flake and cichlid pellets everyday and some Bloodworm or Krill once a week on water change day and dont wanna really disrupt my little routine

 

[mixmaster jay]

get 1 mate 2 females they might breed but it will help pay for some food or something for your other fish lol

 

[kizno1]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=132656
have a look on there all the plecos are under 8 inches

 

[Glenbo1981]

^Good idea that,I heard Bristleys are really easy to breed (I updated my last post with some more info^)