Pleco Question?

[qvx91977]

Strange question to ask?

My common pleco seems perfectly healthy, always going for the algae wafers, seems to be eating well but for some reason, just likes to lay against the thermometer, has been for a few days?? He sucks away at the wafer then goes back to where he last was?? He used to mainly hide within the plants or driftwood?? I assume he has just changed his favourite place and nothing is wrong.

Also the temp within the tank is a constant 30.5c, is this to warm? I have recently bought a new heater as the one I had with mu juwel system was playing up and would not keep a constant temp, it would range from 21c in the morning up to 30c by the end of the evening, so i was wondering if the pleco prefers a cooler temp or 30.5c is ok?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Common plecs prefer the cooler tropical temps, 23-26degrees is good for them, you should provide shelter for your plec so he can hide out of the glare of the tank lights- if your plec is choosing the heater over shade he might not be able to comfortably fit into his previous hiding place anymore or is feeling uncomfortable in his enviroment in some other way, you should be aware that common plecs can grow very big and need large tanks to live out their lives in as they can live for over 20yrs.
As common plecs grow and mature they tend to go off algae eating a bit, you should try to substitute your plecs diet with high protein foods like prawns or muscles every now and then to keep him healthy as they can find it diffcult to get protein from vegetable based foods all the time as thye grow, here is a good article on plec feeding ;

http/www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/S_C_294.PHP

How many gallons does your tank hold and what is its other inhabitants ?

 

[qvx91977]

The tank is 125l so its a not small, yep, they grow big all right.

What is the norm temp for tropical fish tank, is it 26c? I have other fish in there so didnt want to lower it to much, the other fish I have are nothing out of the norm.