Pleco Wanted

[dirtydogg]

Right now my lfs has a gold nugget plec in, but I've read a lot about them, and apparently there are several different species that grow to different sizes, and I don't know how to tell the difference. I really want to add a pleco to my 55 Gallon. So If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them. The setup is as follows:

55 Gallon tank
ph around 6.8
large gravel
several hiding spots and caves
artificial plants
two pieces of driftwood
temp around 79

I'm looking for around the 6" range, and it can't be to rare as my lfs don't stock a huge selection of plecs.

Thanks in advance
DirtyDogg

 

[Candyco]

Have a lil look here... u may c something u want... If not on sale @ ur lfs u could ask if they'll order 1 in 4 u!

http/www.planetcatfish.com/

 

[lighter]

Your tank specs looks quite ok for a pleco. Gold nuggets dont get that big so it will be ideal for a tank of that size.

 

[dirtydogg]

I've read several things on the net that say gold nuggets can be hard to keep and die from "nothing." Is that true, or is it most likely poor fish keeping. They also have a "leprocanthis" I think that's what you call it. It is way more expensive, but I can't remember what the actual name is to look up the info. It was grey in color with black spots.

One more thing I didn't mention is that the other inhabitants include some "fin nippers," tiger barbs, Will they bother a pleco?

 

[smithrc]

Your tank specs looks quite ok for a pleco. Gold nuggets dont get that big so it will be ideal for a tank of that size.

some of the golden nuggets get to 12"... not ideal for a 55 really.

 

[Def]

The L018's are the GN's that stay at 6". There are a couple of other, similar plecs (L180, finespot nugget etc) that look the same but get much bigger. Main difference is that L018's have a reasonable amount of large glod spots, others have lots of tiny spots.

 

[dirtydogg]

not only do they look similar but they need to confuse us more they have to number them L108 & L180. Silly biologists

 

[dirtydogg]

I think I'm set with the gold nugget. They look so cool. I just hope he is still there when I'm ready to purchase him. My parrot has to chill out a bit first. still being really skiddish. Is there anything else I should add to make the tank more "homey" for him? I'm still working on the aquascape on this tank.

 

[Def]

I'm no plec expert, but I found my GN got a whole lot more friendly when he was in a tank with fish the same size and smaller than him. He comes out during the day, has a look round for food and swims round the tank. Never used to do that when he was on his own, or with bigger fish. YMMV