What Kind Of Suckermouth Fish Please?

[GemsC]

Hi,
I inherited this lovely fish so no idea how old it is but on talking to an aquarium shop owner who said she thought she was a female bristlenose, but I am now not so sure as the fish is about 15cm. Have I got a pleco that is going to out grow my 55 liter tank?  This is such a beautiful creature but I obviously need to have an idea of what size might be. Is it a male or female too  please, any help appreciated thanks

 

 

 

 

[Axyadbad]

I'm not a 100% sure.. but I think its a Sailfin pleco. It definitely isn't a Bristlenose. Even if I'm not right about the ID, it'll definitely outgrow your tank unfortunately.

 
P.s. Beautiful fish and welcome to the forum

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

That is a gibbiceps pleco, they grow to well over a foot long (plant catfish says 450mm/17.7") so yes, your tank is very much to small for it, sorry

 

[GemsC]

Thank- you both for replying so quickly
 
O M G I just googled the gibbiceps and have to sadly say I think you are right   Any idea of the speed of growth?
The LFS said they will gladly have him but give me nothing in return not even a baby bn, still it would mean he was in a big tank and looked after.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

You could try to find someone with a big enough tank for him but otherwise your best bet is to take him to your LFS. Most LFS won't give you anything for fish unfortunately.

 

[fluttermoth]

Any idea of the speed of growth?

About an inch a month.

I'm afraid you really need to move him on, ASAP, before he starts getting stunted and 'his' (there's no reliable way of sexing gibbis) health starts to suffer

I've got one that my ex rescued from a two foot tank; 'he's' now in a 5'x2'x2', but I'm still worried he might have been stunted, although he is growing.

 

[GemsC]

Thanks Fluttermouth. I have only had him 3 months and he has doubled so an inch a month seems about right.
 
Awesome, I am coming to grips with the LFS now, thanks
 
When I find him a home would you all suggest getting a small breed algae eater to replace him or would I be ok without one?

 

[fluttermoth]

You don't 'need' an algae eater and your tank is really too small for even the smaller species, TBH.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Hmm bristlenose plecos stay nice and small but your tank pretty borderline for their minimum tank size. I think generally speaking it's reccomended to have 75L/20G for them. But maybe someone with more experience would know better.
 
Algae has a cause, you're best bet is to find out the cause of the algae and fix that, instead of have a fish in to eat it. If you have a lot of green algae, maybe otos would be an option for you?

Ah well, there ya go - trust fluttermoth ahead of me!

 

[DerpPH]

You don't 'need' an algae eater and your tank is really too small for even the smaller species, TBH.

I disagree. Ottos can fit, so can whiptails and candy striped plecs. 10 gallon is enough. A bare minimum.

Oh and If you want a great algae eater a nerite is the thing for you!

 

[GemsC]

thing is never had a problem with algae, thanks for all your advice, much appreciated

 

[DerpPH]

Oh your buying fish just for keeping them not for problems? I salute you my friend! You are a true hobbyist. A hobbyist does not buy fish for purpose but for reason.

 

[fluttermoth]

 

You don't 'need' an algae eater and your tank is really too small for even the smaller species, TBH.

I disagree. Ottos can fit, so can whiptails and candy striped plecs. 10 gallon is enough. A bare minimum.

Oh and If you want a great algae eater a nerite is the thing for you!
 

I'll concede on the otos (I'd forgotten about them for a minute

  ), but I'm going to totally disagree on the others; both can get to four inches, easily, (and many whiptails get considerably larger; there are very many different species) and nothing over two inches should be in a ten gallon, IMO.

 

[DerpPH]

Red lizard whiptails are considerably small. So are dwarf green whiptails

 

[fluttermoth]

Hmmm...I have red lizard whiptails, and a 55l tank, and there's no way I'd combine the two....I've never heard of nor seen a 'dwarf green'!
 
Anyway, we're going badly OT