Sailfin Pleco Being Antisocial

[LisaLQ]

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=148

There's some info for you, their max size is standard length (without tail) though remember. More about minimum tank size here (although they say they only get to 12", that's a big mistake on their part - I've personally had a 15-16" one and seen some 18" plus, but have seen pics of 2ft-ers):
http/www.wetpetz.com/gibbiceps.html

Minimum tank size here for adult size:
http/www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/pleco...leco/100057.asp

They say 75g here, which would be better than 190 litres I guess (although not good at converting in my head so might be worth looking up):
http/www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/fi...s_gibbiceps.php

Even a 9" specimin shouldn't be in such a small tank I'm afraid. Whether or not you choose to act on that or ignore it is your choice

Have you ever thought that the reason why it isn't fully grown is because, as you said, you dont feed it anything?

 

[Bravo2zero_sps]

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=148

There's some info for you, their max size is standard length (without tail) though remember. More about minimum tank size here (although they say they only get to 12", that's a big mistake on their part - I've personally had a 15-16" one and seen some 18" plus, but have seen pics of 2ft-ers):
http/www.wetpetz.com/gibbiceps.html

Minimum tank size here for adult size:
http/www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/pleco...leco/100057.asp

They say 75g here, which would be better than 190 litres I guess (although not good at converting in my head so might be worth looking up):
http/www.tropicalresources.net/phpBB2/fi...s_gibbiceps.php

Even a 9" specimin shouldn't be in such a small tank I'm afraid. Whether or not you choose to act on that or ignore it is your choice

Have you ever thought that the reason why it isn't fully grown is because, as you said, you dont feed it anything?

Thanks for the info and have read info before saying it needs 75 gallons when maximum size. Well it is currently half its full size and has a tank just over half the 75 gallons (a Trigon 190 is 41 gallons) It does get fed plec waffers and from the amount of waste it makes and the fact its shape is fine (ie not skinny). The tank it is in IS fine as it swims around in it quite happily and there is lots of room for it to turn and swim about in. Remember its a Trigon and that triangle shape gives plenty of depth for turning especially as its not heavily planted and decorated in consideration of my plec above anything else. When the time comes that it is gettng to a size needing more space then it will be time to go for a Trigon 350 which is 76 gallons.

As for feeding it this is going to change now anyway as of this afternoon it has a Broken Line Panaque for company (a very small one and these are very slow growing). So there is now bog wood in the tank and there will be regular feeds of cucumber/Courgette so the sailfin can take it or leave it.

Just to add as well I didn't intentionally buy a sailfin when I got him, I went to a garden centre fish shop and asked for a pleco. This was before I did research and took keeping fish seriously so wasn't aware of what I was getting at the time. I was at the time your average non enthusiast who bought fish on looks and not what they are and how big they grow. I have a very different attitude to my fish tank now.

 

[R1ch13]

Would it not be better to leave the trigons !

ie get a longer tank !

Does length not suit the pleco better ?

(And that wasnt a dig at you or anything)

Im just wondering for my own knowledge

Thanks in Advance

Richie !

 

[LisaLQ]

Yep, Trigons are lovely to look at but nothing beats a proper tank when it comes to big fish

Besides, even the biggest Trigons aren't big enough for 18"-2ft fish