Pleco Tank

[michaelh]

Hi guys.
Since moving my angel fish i have a pretty much empty 4'x2'x1.5'.
Only inhabitants are 4 3 inch clown loach and a 8 inch common plec.
I was thinking of adding what was sold to me as a red spotted catfish (leopard pleco) in there and a few others.
Could the pro's (YOU GUYS/GALS!!!) recomend any nice looking plecs that wont be too dear to buy.
Also when the common plec reaches a foot my lfs has agreed to take him .
So please bring on your suggestions!!

 

[xingumike]

Got any photos of this 'red spotted catfish (leopard pleco)'?

I would hope that this is not a gibbiceps but sounds suspiciously like one. This will get larger than the common that you already have.

As for stocking, there are literally hundreds of species that could live in a tank that size, do you have an idea of what you like or even what you want to spend?

Where do you live?

 

[michaelh]

Ill try for a pic now.
He is a sandy/redish colour with small brown patches everywere and very pale/sandy blotches up his sides if that helps
My lfs is very good at taking large fish (like the common).
As long as its a pleco and sort of sub £20 would probably be good.
I love emporer,magnum,golden nugget and many others im just not too clued up on prices. Im quite happy to buy online IF someone could suggest somewere good.

Also i live in colchester,essex UK

 

[xingumike]

Trimar are good for delivering, they are based in Cornwall.

http/www.trimar.co.uk/ - have a look at stocklist, plenty of plecos on there.

Wildwoods is somewhere down south and used to be well regarded, give them a call and see what they have and where they are.

http/www.wildwoods.co.uk/contact.htm

I am not sure what 20 quid will get you these days, I am not up to date with UK prices, may struggle to get the ones you listed though.

Get a photo of the pleco you already have if possible and I'll tell you what it is.

 

[michaelh]

Thankyou very much for the sites. Im trying for a pic but hes obsessed with sitting on the powerhead lol

 

[micko]

whiptails are one of my favourites. Golden nuggets are expensive, I haven't seen one for under £45.

 

[michaelh]

Wont let me attatch a pic >.<

 

[xingumike]

resize it so it is under 100k or host it somewhere like photobucket

 

[michaelh]

He is now my profile pic. I could only upload it to my profile not into a post

 

[xingumike]

From what little I can see it is as I suspected, a gibbiceps

Will reach close on 2 feet

 

[michaelh]

From what little I can see it is as I suspected, a gibbiceps

Will reach close on 2 feet

How kool...
I shall ask my lfs if they would like him tomorrow when i go for a visit.
He seems very calm and well temperamented. Would he be ok to mix with other plecos for the time being? He is about 3-4 inches.
I am awere of the chances of my pleco going aggressive around his own kind and if that does happen he will go to the lfs early rather than being stressed AND fighting lol.

 

[michaelh]

Well after a chat with the missus and agreeing on fish for xmas i have made a list and would really apreciate any opinions on any big no-no's.
I will be running 2 APS 1000's and 2 internal filters just for flow, 2 heaters and led "low lights" in the 4'x2'x1.5'.
Now the L numbers
L134-leopard frog
L46-zebra
L204-flash
L241-vampire
L177-golden nugget
L047-magnum
L181-peppermint
L200-green phantom
L128-blue phantom

 

[moochy13]

Nice list. You aware of the price of zebra plecs?

I have a flash plec, its mega. It can be a little intolerant of other plecs, but only if they get in his 'personal space'. When older the stripes become less bold, as juvis they look great, i'll get a pic of mine tomorrow.

 

[xingumike]

Well after a chat with the missus and agreeing on fish for xmas i have made a list and would really apreciate any opinions on any big no-no's.
I will be running 2 APS 1000's and 2 internal filters just for flow, 2 heaters and led "low lights" in the 4'x2'x1.5'.
Now the L numbers
L134-leopard frog
L46-zebra
L204-flash
L241-vampire
L177-golden nugget
L047-magnum
L181-peppermint
L200-green phantom
blue phantom (unsure of L number)

L134 - good choice, pretty fish
L46 - forget it, even if you are prepared to drop 100 or so quid on a zeb, it is not a fish for a community set up
L204 - Wood eater, don't mix with carnivores like L46, great fish, aggressive ime
L177 - pretty but boring, hard to keep, slow growing
L047 - never kept them, they are Barys tho similar to 177 for care
L181 - easy to keep
L200 - awesome - get the Hi Fin
Blue phantom is L128, same as the L200 low fin

 

[michaelh]

Well after a chat with the missus and agreeing on fish for xmas i have made a list and would really apreciate any opinions on any big no-no's.
I will be running 2 APS 1000's and 2 internal filters just for flow, 2 heaters and led "low lights" in the 4'x2'x1.5'.
Now the L numbers
L134-leopard frog
L46-zebra
L204-flash
L241-vampire
L177-golden nugget
L047-magnum
L181-peppermint
L200-green phantom
blue phantom (unsure of L number)

L134 - good choice, pretty fish
L46 - forget it, even if you are prepared to drop 100 or so quid on a zeb, it is not a fish for a community set up
L204 - Wood eater, don't mix with carnivores like L46, great fish, aggressive ime
L177 - pretty but boring, hard to keep, slow growing
L047 - never kept them, they are Barys tho similar to 177 for care
L181 - easy to keep
L200 - awesome - get the Hi Fin
Blue phantom is L128, same as the L200 low fin

Thankyou very much for the madly informative post.
Shame about the zebra but oh well. I think L200 with hifin is pretty cool aswell lol