Aggression Or Getting Frisky?

[**sarahp**]

Last weekend I rescued two common plecs - they are both about 2 yrs old and 7-8inches in length. So far everything has been fine - well if you ignore the piles of poop, the uprooted plants and the re-arranged sand

But tonight things have taken a turn for what I think is the worst. I'm pretty sure they are fighting One is body slamming the other and 'sucking' on his dorsal fin. The one who seems to be coming off the worst has a ripped dorsal fin. I dont know if he arrived like that (he was in a very small tank with LOTS of goldfish ) or whether it has happened whilst they have been with me

Is there a way to tell what is going on? I wasn't intending to kep either of them past making sure they were fit and healthy to go on to a new home so re-homing one is not a huge problem - I'd just like to know what is going on and if I'd be best re-hominf sooner rather than later??

 

[stang1]

What size tank have you got them in?
With the size that they are, they need plenty of hiding places and a large tank so that they can establish their own territory.

 

[**sarahp**]

What size tank have you got them in?
With the size that they are, they need plenty of hiding places and a large tank so that they can establish their own territory.

121x50x71cm

2 lots of bogwood, rock cave a large plant pot and well planted

They are not stopping long - I was planning on a month or two - just to make sure they are ok before I move them along

 

[stang1]

Sorry Sarah, wasn't having a pop at you.
It does just sound like a territory thing I'm afraid. My Plecos all have their own little space in the tank and if another comes near it, they aren't impressed!
All you can do for the time being is try adding a bit more wood and creating a few more caves.

 

[**sarahp**]

Sorry Sarah, wasn't having a pop at you.
It does just sound like a territory thing I'm afraid. My Plecos all have their own little space in the tank and if another comes near it, they aren't impressed!
All you can do for the time being is try adding a bit more wood and creating a few more caves.

S'ok - not a problem - I'm pretty sure its a territory thing too. I've been watching them again this morning and Alan (as in Alan Titchmarsh cos this pleco likes to move plants around ) is definitley the instigator. And Lucan (as in Lord cos we never see him ) always seems to be the one getting battered - I think thats why he hides so much because everytime he comes out Alan has a go at him

Will post pics later for definite confirmation they are commons - then I shall have to go about rehoming Alan

ps - thanks for your help Stang

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

They are fighting, my common and sailfin plecos did this all the time even though they technically had enough space to live in the tank together, i tried everthing to stop them from fighting, from re-arranging the tank decor to feeding then at opposite ends of the tank, but nothing worked.

In the end i just bought two more 5ft long tanks so each pleco was in its own tank, and they have been so much happier since then !