Hungry hungry pl*co?

Mand · Post by **Mand** » 23 Sep 2003, 11:27

my common pl*c seems to be hoovering off my other fishes scales, which isn't nice! will they grow new ones or remain scarred? you'd think they'd take evasive action to protect themselves.

does this mean my pl*c wants more snacks, ie cucumber, will this make him less likely to munch on his tank mates?

cheers

Post by **Barbie** » 23 Sep 2003, 11:30

Exactly what type of tankmates does he have? And how large is the tank? He can also be trying to drive the fish fro his territory, but the odds are good he's hungry. You're actually seeing him doing this?

Barbie

Mand · Post by **Mand** » 23 Sep 2003, 11:36

no i havent actually seen it happen, but since he arrived an unprecedented number of scales has vanished from some of his mates. he's in with 3 normal goldfish, a black moor and a couple of carp - tho the carp must be too quick for him as they are untouched.

its a 4ft tank, so i would've thought they'd be ok together

Post by **Barbie** » 23 Sep 2003, 11:44

How often are you doing water changes? How much do you change when you do them? Do you feed him often? Or does he just scavenge for leftovers? Does he have a cave or piece of driftwood to hide under where he feels secure?

I've heard a few different stories about plecos attacking fish, and it usually seems to be goldfish it happens to, but as of yet, I haven't heard of anyone that's actually seen it happening.

The good news is, the scales will definitely grow back with proper attention to water condition and good balanced diet.

Barbie

Mand · Post by **Mand** » 23 Sep 2003, 12:10

yes he has a huge lump of bogwood to hide under, and i would guess that i do a 60% water change every 6-8 weeks, but i've only had my pl*c a couple of weeks so he's not had a water change yet.

i give him algae tablets twice daily which he loves, but i have noticed that one of my carp picks them up and swims off with them! think its time he was transferred to the pond!

can you tell me how much food an 8 inch pl*c should be getting each day?

DeLBoD · Post by **DeLBoD** » 23 Sep 2003, 12:16

Err You say you have a "Tropical Common plec" in a cold water tank?

Mand · Post by **Mand** » 23 Sep 2003, 12:30

i have been reliably informed that common pl*cs are hardy enough to live in room temperature. My aquarium is 21 degrees C which is well within the comfort zone for this fish, and my goldfish are happy and healthy with this set up too

I have learned to research a fish before purchasing, following an incident involving an 18inch tank and two Paroon Sharks......

DeLBoD · Post by **DeLBoD** » 23 Sep 2003, 12:42

Well he must have a taste for Slimecoat, some other plecs apparently do this often.

PlecoRising · Post by **PlecoRising** » 23 Sep 2003, 15:44

I have two common plecs that cohabitate nicely with my 3 comets and oranda. Don't believe everything you read/hear!

Mand · Post by **Mand** » 23 Sep 2003, 15:47

pl*coRising wrote:I have two common plecs that cohabitate nicely with my 3 comets and oranda. Don't believe everything you read/hear!

which means you can put multiple pl*cs in one tank? do they need to be of similar size, as i have found some lovely albino common pl*cs but they are only tiny compared to my one - do you think they'd be ok together?

S. Allen · Post by **S. Allen** » 23 Sep 2003, 16:23

heh, it's a bit of an argument we all like to have... bottom line it can be done, plecos are very hardy. I don't like that it's done, as optimal conditions for a fish are important to me, but I will concede it seems to do no harm in particular.

PlecoRising · Post by **PlecoRising** » 24 Sep 2003, 01:24

I think its better to get the same size plecs of the same species if you are to have two. Its really just luck. The slightly larger of my two does intimidate the other a little, but you can tell it is harmless bullying. They've been together for nearly a year now. I conclude that the larger plec is just uptight since he harrasses all the fish (which don't really take his threats seriously).

ClayT101 · Post by **ClayT101** » 24 Sep 2003, 07:38

I find common plecos do fine in cooler water...just as goldfish do well in warm water. My pond is only 10 inches deep, and must get over 90 degrees F in the summer, but the goldfish thrive.

Caol_ila · Post by **Caol_ila** » 24 Sep 2003, 10:08

Hi!

Just for understanding...carp is C.carpio? The ones we eat for Christmas? The ones that get over half a meter? Dunno what black moor is but it sounds big...5 fishes that get over 40 cm in a 120 cm tank? Sometimes i feel my 120 cm is too small for a 20 cm pleco that doesnt need to swim a lot....

Post by **Silurus** » 24 Sep 2003, 10:15

Dunno what black moor is

A goldfish variety that reaches 25 cm.

Mand · Post by **Mand** » 24 Sep 2003, 12:04

my goldfish and carp range currently range from 2 to 5 inches in length, and all have a pond to move into should they require more space. the carp is gonna be the first to go, as he is growing far more rapidly than the others, and needs space to swim

good to finally find a group of people who know what they're talking bout - thanks for all your help

Mand · Post by **Mand** » 24 Sep 2003, 12:06

oh nearly forgot to say - put a chunk of cucumber in for him last night and he loved it. think that'll help him leave the other fish alone!