Tiger Pleco

[trickyspark]

I've had a small tiger pleco since mid december, it has yet to grow any that I can see. He/she maybe 2.5-3 inches at most.

In this tank (30 gallon), I have 2 ghost shrimp. 2 corydora, 2 common pleco. 3 platies, 4 rasbora also. One of the common pleco is around 7-8 inches, the other about 6-7 inches. I didn't have the 2 common in there to start with. The smaller of the 2 was in a 10 gallon tank until it devloped a bad leak, forcing me to place him/her in the larger tank, where it grew to its present size. I never got another tank to replace that one, and strangely enough the other pleco seemed happy ( i know it sounds stupid), began swimming around more when I added the 2nd.

I really like these fish, a lot of people comment on how ugly plecos are, but I just don't agree.


I don't think the tank is over populated, but if anyone thinks so, please feel free to tell me. I try to take care of my fish.

I'm just concerned about the tiger. It acts happy, swims a little differently than the other 2. I have yet to see him attach to the glass like the others do, and have done since they were his size. He doesn't swim much, rather he hops or scoots about on the bottom. I've seen him eat algae wafers and pieces of flake food that fall to the bottom. I've tested my water and everything seems perfect. I'm at work now or I'd post the ph and such, I don't have the list with me, and apparently I'm to scatter brained to remember.

I realize this isn't a huge pleco species. I'm just wondering:

1. if the swimming/scooting/hopping, whatever you want to call it is normal?
2. shouldn't he have grown SOME?

 

[Colin_T]

it's probably being dominated by the bigger pleco
maybe feed it more or make sure it is getting its fair share of food. Possibly deworm it and do more water changes.

 

[xingumike]

do you know if its a Hypan or Panaque? a pic would help, both are relatively slow growing though, with a Panaque being the slower.

You do have stocking issues imo, the tank isn't big enough for 1 common, let alone 2

 

[BezsMaracas]

do you know if its a Hypan or Panaque? a pic would help, both are relatively slow growing though, with a Panaque being the slower.

You do have stocking issues imo, the tank isn't big enough for 1 common, let alone 2

I bought the same sort of plec earlier today, seems to be settling in great. Just wondering, what is the difference between the two types? I've also heard some prefer meatier diets? The one I have went straight for the algae wafer I put in, and also seemed to be eating off some bogwood.

Are there any pictures anywhere to see the difference, or general ways of differentiating?

 

[xingumike]

www.planetcatfish.com

you bought the same type of plec as what?

 

[BezsMaracas]

www.planetcatfish.com

you bought the same type of plec as what?

A King Tiger Pleco, assumed that's what you meant when you said there were two types?

 

[xingumike]

Well King Tiger is L66, a hypancistrus sp, and therefore a carnivore.

I have heard of junior panaque referred to as tiger something they are wood eater.

 

[BezsMaracas]

Well King Tiger is L66, a hypancistrus sp, and therefore a carnivore.

I have heard of junior panaque referred to as tiger something they are wood eater.

Thanks, It was labelled as an L66 in the LFS, think I'll have to do a lot more reading up on this!

I'll try it with some bloodworm later but it does seem to like the wafers. Suppose it not being a fussy eater has to be a plus point

 

[xingumike]

try prawns and mussels, don't leave them in too long though they mess up the water quickly