Help Identifying Plecs Please!

[sevenleaf]

As I've said in another topic I've been sold 2 Plecs that are quickly going to outgrow my tank. I'm going to either give them to a friend or take them to a different LFS. I just want to check that they are a breed that will get big, and not one in the 8" and under thread.

I bought them both at the same time so I assume that they are noth the same type although one is darker than the other.

Well here are some pics!

I was sold 2 plecs by my LFS (Pets at Home) as I wanted something that would keep my glass clean. I found out when I got home that a) I should only have 1 in my tank and B) they'll grow too big for my tank anyway.

I went straight back to the shop and told them this (with the book I read it in) only to be told by an assistant 'that had been keeping fish for 10 years' that they would only grow to a comfortable size of the tank, and that books are only a rough guide.

 

[§tudz]

That is a common plec

 

[KathyM]

Liposarcus pardalis, one of the many species named as "common plecs".

What the shop were telling you I'm afraid is absolute rubbish - these fish are nowhere near suitable for a two foot tank, never mind both of them. They do not stop growing to the size of the tank, although they will get deformed, often with a bent spine. Even if they did get stunted, it would cause disease, stress and ultimately death. I'm sorry you've been ripped off, but they need returning ASAP as they're not suitable for your tank even temporarily

 

[cichlid-mad]

aww a bristle nose will go in a 2ft

 

[smithrc]

they look exactly like 'Mr Catfish' did when he was young...

He is now 12" - see sig