What Type Of Pleco Is This?

[indigoj]

Age and lack of experience is no excuse. These plecs should grow pretty rapidly so in the time you have had it he should have reached somewhere around 8-10" - this lack of growth is most likely due to tank size, lack of adequate filtration and overcrowding.

The 'signs of stress' above are very very general and will not always apply. You really need to address the space you have this plec in or he will end up with permanent internal damage.

Immediate things you can do are increasing your water changes to compensate for the poor filtration, I'd do 10% daily and 30% twice weekly as a bare minimum until you can get a more powerful filter.

In the slightly longer term you seriously need to either change your stocking (take the unsuitable fish back to the LFS or give them away/sell them to someone who can house them properly) or upgrade your tank significantly size wise. Do some research on the size tank a plec like this needs - not to mention the other fish!

I know it can be difficult and there is a lot of conflicting advice but you did ask...

 

[Phoenixbaby]

hang on a sec, give him a break will ya!!

soo many people r so ruddy horrid to newbies and its not on! not every newbie is as knowledgable as u lot. and everyone has to start from somewhere, regardless of whether they start by making big mistakes, i mean sheeesh #### hes just a kid, maybe u lot shud be a little more understanding, not every1 has the resources or even thinks about researching b4 hand

i once put females in with my male betta, BIG mistake, but as sed, we all have to start from somewhere

maybe u shud kindly post some friendly advice so he can atleast sort the problem

*gets off soapbox*

 

[fish are friends....]

Thanks Phoenixbaby, really appriciate it.
I have got someone to talk him/her anyway!

 

[Phoenixbaby]

no problem

i sadly had to let my common albino go, as i was told it would only stay small (not knowing about plecos at the time) and it soon out grew my tank

my friend now has him in her 6 footer, and hes happy as larry

good on u for sorting out a new home

 

[fish are friends....]

i love my plec, hes sucks all up my arm then i'm cleaning the tank!
Will be a shame to let him go but i supose he'll be happier!

 

[Phoenixbaby]

indeed but he'll do soo much better in a bigger tank, plus he'l love the extra space

i miss my albino too, but im moving out soon, and plan on getting a 6footer in the front room, and having him back