Pleco Help!

[Miss Mayhem]

My boyfriend and I bought a small tank (17l) two weeks ago and put a male betta and a couple of neons in it. On sunday my boyfriend was under instruction to go and buy a couple more neons and a plant.

He came back with a pleco.

I've done some research now and it seems they live for a ridiculously long time and grow really big. How long before he will out-grow the tank?

Or will the size of the tank stop him from growing into a monster?

I wasn't so sure about him when the bf brought him home, but having spent a couple of evenings watching him I am finding myself getting quite attached and I don't like the idea that we may have to give him away if he becomes too big.

 

[JenCliBee]

My boyfriend and I bought a small tank (17l) two weeks ago and put a male betta and a couple of neons in it. On sunday my boyfriend was under instruction to go and buy a couple more neons and a plant.

He came back with a pleco.

I've done some research now and it seems they live for a ridiculously long time and grow really big. How long before he will out-grow the tank?

Or will the size of the tank stop him from growing into a monster?

I wasn't so sure about him when the bf brought him home, but having spent a couple of evenings watching him I am finding myself getting quite attached and I don't like the idea that we may have to give him away if he becomes too big.

17L isnt big enough for even the smallest of plecs, in the interest of the plec i would take him back and get something far more suitable.

 

[Miss Mayhem]

17L isnt big enough for even the smallest of plecs, in the interest of the plec i would take him back and get something far more suitable.

#40##.

Won't be able to do that for a couple of weeks, hopefully he won't suffer too much in the mean time.

 

[JenCliBee]

17L isnt big enough for even the smallest of plecs, in the interest of the plec i would take him back and get something far more suitable.

#40##.

Won't be able to do that for a couple of weeks, hopefully he won't suffer too much in the mean time.

It's not really just that to consider, the waste that plecs produce even smaller ones is quite extreme compared to other fish, i would keep an eye out on water stats to ensure they are staying at a safe level to prevent the fish you are keeping not to suffer. The filter required for a betta wont be anywhere near enough to cope with the waste that a plec produces.

 

[Miss Mayhem]

It's not really just that to consider, the waste that plecs produce even smaller ones is quite extreme compared to other fish, i would keep an eye out on water stats to ensure they are staying at a safe level to prevent the fish you are keeping not to suffer. The filter required for a betta wont be anywhere near enough to cope with the waste that a plec produces.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on that. I also have a suspicion that one of the neons got caught on the plecos barbs because it is looking rather roughed up.

I am feeling so overwhelmed, it seems we are doing everything wrong all the time...

 

[JenCliBee]

It's not really just that to consider, the waste that plecs produce even smaller ones is quite extreme compared to other fish, i would keep an eye out on water stats to ensure they are staying at a safe level to prevent the fish you are keeping not to suffer. The filter required for a betta wont be anywhere near enough to cope with the waste that a plec produces.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on that. I also have a suspicion that one of the neon's got caught on the plecos barbs because it is looking rather roughed up.

I am feeling so overwhelmed, it seems we are doing everything wrong all the time...

You will probably find it was the betta that has caused problems to the neon, plecs tend to be quite shy and peaceful to other fish apart from sometimes other plecs.

Basically it's all a learning curve, mistakes are often made but been able to correct them and know not to make them the next time gains you the best experience you could possibly ever gain.

Coming and asking questions on a forum is the best start that you have made, there are plenty of people readily available to help and usually happy to .

The key to any tank is research any fish and potential problems it may cause and you will have the recipe for a lovely and peaceful tank and then everything else falls into place

 

[fishnovice]

Since you have to keep the plec for a while anyway, why not post a photo on this forum and have his species identified? You may be lucky as not all plecs grow into 2 ft monsters -there are lots of small to medium species, such as bulldog and bristlenose plecs. I know plecs look hideous at first but as you've discovered they grow on you....and if it turns out to be a smaller species that won't grow too big you may decide to get a slightly larger tank with a good filter and keep him. I used to think plecs were really ugly at first but now I think my baby bristlenoses are really cute and my L001 is gorgeous. Must agree though that big plecs are real poop machines!!!

 

[Melzama]

I would get a different tank for the betta the neons are fine in that tank the pleco will probably get to big bettas aren't very good community fish people have problems with keeping bettas with small fish like neons and guppies

 

[indigoj]

""You may be lucky as not all plecs grow into 2 ft monsters -there are lots of small to medium species, such as bulldog and bristlenose plecs. I know plecs look hideous at first but as you've discovered they grow on you....and if it turns out to be a smaller species that won't grow too big you may decide to get a slightly larger tank with a good filter and keep him""

To keep even the smallest plec mentioned here you need at least a 50l tank.