O?is My Tank Going To Be Big Enough For My Common Plecp

[nukeonekitty]

I have a 85 gal (72x13x21)... will my common pleco get too big? I really want to grow him out!

If I can keep him... how long will it take for him to get full grown?

 

[KathyM]

You may find in the long run that your tank isn't deep enough front to back, as liposarcus species (if that's what your common plec is) reach bigger sizes than that. Some even out at around 12" and grow slowly from then on over the years (edited to add: They keep growing throughout their lives). Planet Catfish lists their size as 13.8" standard length (ie. not including their tail). Ideally a tank should be at least three times their adult length with enough depth front to back for them to turn around. You *might* be okay, but I wouldn't like to say for definite.

 

[nukeonekitty]

oh man...

 

[LisaLQ]

If I can keep him... how long will it take for him to get full grown?

Depends on how big he is now? My albino common has gone from 2" to 5" in around 2 months. Like Kathy said, they start off fast, then slow down when they get bigger. Average size for a common is 12-15", but they can and do get up to 18" sometimes. Play it by ear - if your plec gets to a good size and doesn't look like he's going to stop, it might be worth a tank upgrade (try second hand - Ebay's great for bargains, just keep your eyes peeled). It doesn't mean spending a fortune, as you've got all the equipment in your tank already - so it's just the tank you'd need, and that'd only have to be a few inches wider so it wouldn't take up tonnes more room.