Is It Possible To Make A Pleco Less Shy?

[Scott MacAdam]

my plec is constantly hiding under a log in the center of my tank and i havent seen anything but it's tail in about a month... i used to be able to catch it out and about sucking on the walls and such but now there is nothing and the walls and some of the white rocks are becoming a little green... i know it's still alive because it moves about underneath the log in an opening but never comes out anymore... i was wondering if there is a way to make it a little more social with the other fish as well as with me. Then i wouldn't have to worry about it's health because I would know it is eating. it's probably imposible to train a fish this shy but i'm up for any ideas or suggestions. and maybe even a little more info on the fish i wouldn't normaly know so i could make it a little more comfortable in my tank. thanks alot!

 

[Fella]

Is he a standard common?

Have you considered moonlights?

 

[haplover]

Nice to see a fellow Nova Scotian Here.
Plecs are nocturnal feeders normally so it'snot all that unusual that you don't see him very much. If you watch the tank at night with the tank lights out you'll see him plenty. Mine usually stay on their driftwood all day and then come out at night to feed.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

hmm yeah. i was guessing that they were mainley nocturnal but there is some rocks and galss with some alge so i'm wondering if it is coming out at all....

and also, its the common plec

 

[CatLover]

Chances are, you have a common pleco. Moonlights would be lovely, but if you can't get those, simply leave the tank lights off longer.
Some pleco species are social. If he is a clown pleco, he needs to be kept in groups. Do a bit of research on your fish to see if it's very social or not, and adjust your tank accordingly.

Also, if you throw in a slice of cucumber or zhuccini (wow, I butchered that word) I have found that no pleco can resist tearing into that, no matter how bright the tank is.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

Haplover-- I have only ever saw one other Nova scotian on here so it's good to know that i'm not alone! what part are you from. i'm a capebretoner my self. (EastBay)

Chances are, you have a common pleco. Moonlights would be lovely, but if you can't get those, simply leave the tank lights off longer.
Some pleco species are social. If he is a clown pleco, he needs to be kept in groups. Do a bit of research on your fish to see if it's very social or not, and adjust your tank accordingly.

Also, if you throw in a slice of cucumber or zhuccini (wow, I butchered that word) I have found that no pleco can resist tearing into that, no matter how bright the tank is.

great ideas i'll try the cucumber tonight! we well see how strong his will power is now ! lol! give me a min i'lll give that a go!

hmmm nothing... and cucumber floats? learn somthing new every day... o well i left it there near the log and it's being held down by a rock on the edge so when it's ready, it's avalible! any other ideas?

 

[Durbkat]

You are suppost to use a veggi clip to weight it down or if its long and big enough you can put part of it in the gravel to weigh it down. How long have you had it and what size tank is it in because I found my pleco never really came out of its shell till I put it in my 55g?

 

[haplover]

I'm from the South Shore of the mainland Scott.

Another m\important fact may be the size of the Plec in question. Once they get a bit bigger they stop eating algae for the most part and require a vegetable diet.

 

[onemisterchristian]

maybe some wood in the tank might help, plecs love the driftwood.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

hmm well the plec is just small now, about 3 inches or so. for now he is in a 25 gallon "long" tank.

i'll look into getting some wood. not sure when i can get it though...

 

[Joeyg2100]

Common Plecs are not really wood eaters, so the driftwood will just be a nice hiding spot for your plec to sit under. Yes your plec needs another source of food other than just algie. I put in a couple slices of zucchini once a week. It takes awhile for your plec to find it, but once he does he will have it gone in a couple nights. I have two of them in my 55 gal, and they love the zucchini. I am looking to get rid of these two common plecs for another type of plec.
Commons are a real dirty fish that put out a lot of waste, and they are a larger species of plec that can grow to 18". So your 25 gal is to small once he gets to full size. As is mine hince the getting a different spicies. If you descide to do this I would suggest a Brissle nose, king tiger, Queen Arabesque or a Lepard frog. As these spicies don't get that big, but this is also my prefference. Do research on what type would fit best into your tank. There are tons of them.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

ok i'll look into some different types and maybe instead of getting a larger tank , i'll just get a smaller fish...

there was a hole in the cucumber when i went to go to bed so i guess it's eating.. or maybe my dojo found it first...

 

[whip]

I've had excellent results with the rubber lip pleco. He stays small, and does a good job with the algae.

 

[Torrean]

I second the rubberlip pleco. They also go by the names rubbernose and bulldog plec. You could get an ornament that sits against the glass and is open so that you can see into it. You would atleast be able to see him during the day if he takes a liking to the ornament.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

are plecos oddballs?? hahaha i got moved.... o well its still good info! thanks for the suggestions on the rubberlip pleco. i'm reaserching it now!