L001

[black angel]

Ive had my plec around a year now and its grown from a tiny 3 inch baby into a 10 inch poop monster.

I love this fish a lot but Ive read it can grow to 14 inches and requires a 75 gallon tank. I believe it to be female I dont know why and she is the only plec in my 55 gallon as she tries to kill any plec i put in there.
If this fish gets to the 14 inch mark am I being cruel in keeping her in a 55? I cant afford anything bigger and want to do whats right for my fish.

 

[LisaLQ]

She's more likely to stay around 10-12" I think, the max is 16" but I was told it isn't very common that they reach that.

B*ggers with other plecs - they're even grumpier than gibbies She is though completely and utterly gorgeous

 

[black angel]

Thanks Lisa. I think I should call her grumpy as shes always chasing the other fish.
As long as she doesnt get past 12 inches my tank size is ok?

 

[morgan]

Tank size for an active Pleco should be 4 times the length of the Pleco (3 times for an inactive one), twice the height and plenty of room to turn round. HTH. She is a very nice Pleco. My 12" Common is in a 4 foot tank (unless he grows).

 

[LisaLQ]

If I put away my "in a perfect world" hat, she could probably be ok in there as long as it wasn't too heavily stocked - what's the dimensions?

 

[black angel]

Its four foot long, 21 inches deep and 16 inches wide.
Its the juwel rio240 and along with the internal juwel theres a fluval 4+. The other fish are four angels and a few dither fish.

 

[gsta13]

Aye im looking for a plec for my rio 240 would this be a better pleco to go for than a smaller 8incher? oh and is the four times rule the golden plec rule? like a rule of thumb or is it still the same as wth all fish the bigger the tank the better?
Greg

 

[LisaLQ]

If I had to choose between a gold spot and an 8" plec, I'd personally go for the 8" plec in that tank, but in Black Angel's case, he already has his fish - and wants to know if the tank will make do - which I'd say it would. I personally wouldn't have a common in a tank that size though as they're supposed to get much bigger, and it could stunt them. Whereas a gold spot might stay at 10", so it's no huge deal.

 

[gsta13]

If I had to choose between a gold spot and an 8" plec, I'd personally go for the 8" plec in that tank, but in Black Angel's case, he already has his fish - and wants to know if the tank will make do - which I'd say it would. I personally wouldn't have a common in a tank that size though as they're supposed to get much bigger, and it could stunt them. Whereas a gold spot might stay at 10", so it's no huge deal.

ok cheers, i am looking at the plec threads as we speak
btw good luck with the Gold spot...(nearly abbrevated that to G-Spot then lol)

Greg

 

[black angel]

G-spot lol, made me laugh.

At least I know I can keep the fish without worrying about parting with her

 

[LisaLQ]

Yeah - just keep an eye on params and do plenty of gravel vacs and you should be ok