Change Over

[haich]

just finished changing over 10 gal from gravel to sand with about 90% fresh water change readings

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0.5
ph 8

thought i might of had to cycle again but held back some tank water and left filter running in it plec looks happy enough now what to get to join him hmmm any ideas it is a planted tank not to heavy though was thinking maybe about 8 cardinals

any ideas would be great thanks

 

[SamUK]

what type of plec is it?

 

[haich]

well when i asked at the shop for a plec he said the leopard plec but i dont see one listed on here by that name but bares a striking resemblence to a suckermouth catfish (pterygoplichthys multiradiatus)if that means anything to you if so fill me in please

 

[SamUK]

does he look like this??

if so then im afraid youll have to rehome him or buy a much bigger tank.

its a common plec which given the right home can grow to over 1ft in length easily.

i have one that is 10" after only 2 years.

 

[haich]

yeah i knew he grew that big after i got him have a 40 gal cycling away now but not big enough for him either so dont know what to do with him just yet might put him on here see if anyone wants him btw bloody good photo of him cant ever see mine always hiding under the log

 

[SamUK]

i found the photo when i googled pterygoplichthys multiradiatus.


didnt kno that was there scientific name lol.

well the 40 will be better for now but if you really get stuck then go down your LFS and see if they will take him back.

 

[haich]

well in my book it says it has been re-classified as that name and is easily confused with other species of the genus but yeah that photo is bang on i didnt realise they all came with numbers btw i like that l225 i think it was in one of these pages

 

[Die_Grinder]

i always trade my big plecs for smaller ones at my lfs, they sell em for like £12 each and i get a nice small one to clean my tank great deal!

 

[haich]

yeah will try to take him back so which ones are the better ones to get for growing no more than say 4-5 inches?

 

[SamUK]

dnt think there is any that small.


Bristle Nose plecs max out at about 8 inches i think.

 

[onemisterchristian]

This would probably go over well in the pleco section but I know there are plecs that stay small. Zebra plecs, l46's, and their relatives I believe grow 3-5 in. however they also carry quite a hefty price tag and don't eat algae. They prefer a meaty diet.

 

[haich]

hi cheers for that was looking at the rubbernose in the fish index and says he gets to 3" didnt catch the diet is he an algae eater?

never mind had another read up not what im after might go for the pitbull one instead can have pairs with them aswell