Not sure on how to handle a new fish.

[DoubleDutch]

Since you've only just got it, it's young, and plecos are known for doing this and hiding away when in a new tank, I wouldn't worry too much about where to feed him yet! I do think they learn your feeding routine over time. I've had two plecos with 16 cories for longer than a year now, and while of course cories will eat anything that goes in the tank, the plecos can sense/smell the food too, and they're pretty good at planting themselves on top of a piece of food, and bristling when cories bumble over them and carry on eating! I remember having the same concerns when I first got my plecs.

My evening feeding routine is to feed the cories/middle/top feeders first, at about 7:30pm. Then I'll drop in food or stick some veg in for the plecos about an hour or so later, and they sometimes come out and eat with the cories, or they dominate the food later once the cories are less hungry and have calmed down a bit. The cories also don't bother so much with the veg.

Remember all fish need some time to settle into a new environment, it's normal for them to not eat for a few days and hide away, and that won't do them any harm, even a small plec. Especially when there's algae and biofilm on the plants and tank that they're likely nomming on when the lights are off! Don't forget that plecs also require some real driftwood they can rasp on to help their digestion. Just try to keep stress low for a while and give him some time to settle.

Congrats on the new fish! Hope we can see photos soon!

Planet Catfish tells the L262 mainly is carnovorious. Be aware there are several types of protein. Provide it with a wide variaty of food. It probably is wild caught (ai would hide too)

PlanetCatfish.com - Hypancistrus sp. (L262) (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Images are copyright and may not be reproduced without permission of the copyright holder.

www.planetcatfish.com

Edit : Sorry, I noticed missed a lot of posts

 

[jaylach]

The beasty is out!

It is just TOO cute! Since it is a starDUST pleco and the appearance the name is Dusty.

The thing is just SO small. Consider that this is an expanded shot and the gravel is actually like 1/16 to 1/8 inch.

The little cory cat to the left is less than an inch in size. While I do a fair amount of photography I don't do water. As to gravel color and such this is the most accurate.

To give a better idea as to size the measuring spoon on the food can is a 1/8 tea spoon.

 

[jaylach]

I don't get fish! In another thread I was an advocate as to fish possibly having emotions even though I don't think they do in the same way as us but something is there. Look at the following image. The new little pleco is buried in corys. They are not attacking or bothering and the pleco is totally calm and seems quite content being buried.

Also notice the 'stance' of the tetra above the pleco. Can't be positive but I THINK this is the same tetra that protected the old common pleco when it was sick as described in another thread. I've been watching and this tetra will not allow any of the other tetras to come near the little pleco.

I would LOVE it if someone could explain this behavior as to the corys and tetra. Just going by appearance it REALLY seems that these fish are actively protecting the little pleco. Even the albino cory has become involved and is currently sitting cheek to cheek againsyt the little pleco. There is just no way that I can see the current actions of the corys and the tetra as anything other than protective. I mean look at the picture and you describe it.