Aqua Andy
Fish Crazy
Hi all,
I have a 32G that I want to add two plecs to, and a 10G that I'd like to add one plec to. Please see my signature for my tank info, the Tetras will be re-homed, and both tanks are overfiltered.
I bought a BN 3 weeks ago and he is already my favorite fish. He almost has as much character as my male Bolivian Ram, and he's just randy. He is quiet manic, and he is rarely out of eye shot although there are plenty of places for him to disappear. I've always wanted a plec since I started to keep tropical fish back in 2005, and I now have a tank large enough to keep them.
Even if my 32G could take plecs that get larger than 5-6" I don't really want any bigger than that, as I feel that they would be out of proportion with my layout and other fish. I know that how much you see a plec depends on how secure it feels in your tank, but there do seem to be types of plec that are particularly skittish and I'd like to avoid those.
You may have read my post regarding buying a L066 plec. Due to this I don't want another one as it will remind of the first one, and I have a £30.00 credit note with the supplying LFS. They have 3 or 4 L015s around 3" in stock all in the same tank, and they are quite active. The largest fish had the dullest colouring (normal variation? mood? unhappy? sex? although as it was the most territorial I assumed it was a male but a male would have brighter colouring?) and chased away the others when they came near. I quite like their colouring, and their eyes are very nice. Does anyone keep these, and offer any info on them?
Another LFS has just had some L134s delivered, and also has 1 L030 and 1 Clown (I don't know the L number as I think there are two, but I think it's the "ringed" variety), but IMHO they don't seem to keep their fish that well. I bought some Ottos from them once, and when I asked the guy what they feed them he said "flake", being impulsive I still bought them.
And then there's mail order. After my experience with the L066 maybe it's best that I don't choose one! Any experiences good and bad again are greatly appreciated.
So .......
I'd be grateful for recommendations for any plecs that would get on well in my set up and are hardy, and those which I should avoid that aren't hardy and like high temperatures (as I don't want to raise the temp in my 32G above 26c as it has a negative effect on my guppies and Corys).
I'd really like an L134. Is this a suitable plec for me? If so should I reserve one from my LFS and collect it after X time, or buy online?
If I see a plec at an LFS that I want to buy what should I check (e.g. sunken belly I now know is very noticeable, but is sunken eyes) and ask (what they have been feeding it, and how long they've had it. I guess if I ask questions like is it eating, they probably wouldn't know, and even if they knew it wasn't, they would say it was?)the LFS.
Should I buy one plec at a time and keep it in the 10G for X time until I'm happy it's eating and settled, and then transfer it to the 32G. Or put it in the 32G straight away and see how it gets on, and remove it if I get worried?
Sorry for the long post, but after the ease of owning a BN I came down to earth with a bump with the L066, and I want to do all I can to eliminate a repeat. I appreciate that sometimes **** happens and there's nothing you can do.
Andy
I have a 32G that I want to add two plecs to, and a 10G that I'd like to add one plec to. Please see my signature for my tank info, the Tetras will be re-homed, and both tanks are overfiltered.
I bought a BN 3 weeks ago and he is already my favorite fish. He almost has as much character as my male Bolivian Ram, and he's just randy. He is quiet manic, and he is rarely out of eye shot although there are plenty of places for him to disappear. I've always wanted a plec since I started to keep tropical fish back in 2005, and I now have a tank large enough to keep them.
Even if my 32G could take plecs that get larger than 5-6" I don't really want any bigger than that, as I feel that they would be out of proportion with my layout and other fish. I know that how much you see a plec depends on how secure it feels in your tank, but there do seem to be types of plec that are particularly skittish and I'd like to avoid those.
You may have read my post regarding buying a L066 plec. Due to this I don't want another one as it will remind of the first one, and I have a £30.00 credit note with the supplying LFS. They have 3 or 4 L015s around 3" in stock all in the same tank, and they are quite active. The largest fish had the dullest colouring (normal variation? mood? unhappy? sex? although as it was the most territorial I assumed it was a male but a male would have brighter colouring?) and chased away the others when they came near. I quite like their colouring, and their eyes are very nice. Does anyone keep these, and offer any info on them?
Another LFS has just had some L134s delivered, and also has 1 L030 and 1 Clown (I don't know the L number as I think there are two, but I think it's the "ringed" variety), but IMHO they don't seem to keep their fish that well. I bought some Ottos from them once, and when I asked the guy what they feed them he said "flake", being impulsive I still bought them.
And then there's mail order. After my experience with the L066 maybe it's best that I don't choose one! Any experiences good and bad again are greatly appreciated.
So .......
I'd be grateful for recommendations for any plecs that would get on well in my set up and are hardy, and those which I should avoid that aren't hardy and like high temperatures (as I don't want to raise the temp in my 32G above 26c as it has a negative effect on my guppies and Corys).
I'd really like an L134. Is this a suitable plec for me? If so should I reserve one from my LFS and collect it after X time, or buy online?
If I see a plec at an LFS that I want to buy what should I check (e.g. sunken belly I now know is very noticeable, but is sunken eyes) and ask (what they have been feeding it, and how long they've had it. I guess if I ask questions like is it eating, they probably wouldn't know, and even if they knew it wasn't, they would say it was?)the LFS.
Should I buy one plec at a time and keep it in the 10G for X time until I'm happy it's eating and settled, and then transfer it to the 32G. Or put it in the 32G straight away and see how it gets on, and remove it if I get worried?
Sorry for the long post, but after the ease of owning a BN I came down to earth with a bump with the L066, and I want to do all I can to eliminate a repeat. I appreciate that sometimes **** happens and there's nothing you can do.
Andy
