How Fast Do They Grow?

[Boromir]

I bought a 2" common pleco today and know the can get upto 24" big and live for 20years. But how fast do they grow? I have got a huge tank so I dont think it will get stunted.

Thanks

 

[snazy]

I've had mine for over a year and bought him as a baby. He got about double his size for the last year max, but also wider bodied which makes him look bigger than he is but his mouth is huge alright . He still wouldn't have outgrown a 40G tank depending on tank mates and places to hang around. I moved mine to a 100G tank 10 months ago, fed on veg several times a week + algae wafers+whatever I feed the rest of the fish. I actually opened a thread recently with pictures and videos I took over the last year, you can have a look here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/406845-progress-of-my-common-pleco-growing/page__p__3423274#entry3423274

 

[falcon1]

Average growth rate to around 5-6" then.... SSSSSSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
(I had acommon plec and he barely grew after the 5" mark).
And common plecs rarely hit 24" in aquaria. Hi-fins are way more likely to hit that size.

 

[Boromir]

Well sad news today, I found him dead this morning, he seemed ok yesterday when I got him, Im a bit gutted as he was going to be my centre piece along with the shrimps when I get them.

Any idea what could of happened? there was no swollen belly when I got him. Im guessing shock or something, my danios and neon/glowlight tetras seem to be happy

 

[iownupkr66]

ahh gutted for you will you get another?

 

[snazy]

Well sad news today, I found him dead this morning, he seemed ok yesterday when I got him, Im a bit gutted as he was going to be my centre piece along with the shrimps when I get them.

Any idea what could of happened? there was no swollen belly when I got him. Im guessing shock or something, my danios and neon/glowlight tetras seem to be happy

Sad indeed. They are such hardy fish really. How did you acclimate him? Make sure they have a nice belly when you pick them.
Check your water parameters for ammonia and nitrItes but even this shouldn't kill him in a day. It's either bad acclimation and he didn't adjust to the new water conditions or he was maybe already weak and sick.

 

[iownupkr66]

agreed

 

[Boromir]

Ammonia is 0 Nitrites is 0 Nitrate 10. Ph is 8 tank temp was 27 degrees now changed to 26. I left the bags they came in for 30 minutes in my tank put some API stress zyme then released them, saw the plec hanging onto the glass for a while then moving onto the gravel before going to bed.

I probably will get another one but going to wait see what happens for a few weeks. Are Bristlenose plecs nice to have? I saw that a member on here was also selling a zebra plec but there a bit expensive and dont want to risk losing it what size do they grow up to?

Thanks

 

[Wigancol]

Zebra plecs only grow a few inchs and the water needs to be bang on, but yes they are expensive I wanted 1 but alot of money if it dies

 

[snazy]

Ammonia is 0 Nitrites is 0 Nitrate 10. Ph is 8 tank temp was 27 degrees now changed to 26. I left the bags they came in for 30 minutes in my tank put some API stress zyme then released them, saw the plec hanging onto the glass for a while then moving onto the gravel before going to bed.

I probably will get another one but going to wait see what happens for a few weeks. Are Bristlenose plecs nice to have? I saw that a member on here was also selling a zebra plec but there a bit expensive and dont want to risk losing it what size do they grow up to?

Thanks

The way you acclimated the fish is all wrong. I would advise you read this:

http/www.bestfish.com/floatdip.html

If you want a smaller pleco that eats algae, get bristlenose or butterfly pleco(L168) which is my favourite of the algae eating types.

 

[iownupkr66]

i own 3 bristle noses at the mo soon to have a 4th i also own 2 snowball plecs and 1 clown gonna get a royal soon but i would advise a bristlenose first they dont get massive and eat algae like its going outta fashion )

 

[Boromir]

Think I will get a bristlenose plec when time is right. In the mean time Im planning to get some Silver sharks and a red tail black shark, these will get along with eachother as well as the plecs and shrimp wont they?

 

[snazy]

Think I will get a bristlenose plec when time is right. In the mean time Im planning to get some Silver sharks and a red tail black shark, these will get along with eachother as well as the plecs and shrimp wont they?

The silver sharks need to be in groups of the same species and grow as big as 35cm, same or more than most common plecos. The red tails sharks are aggressive little things

 

[Boromir]

3 or 4 silvers im planning to get have got a big tank so there should be plenty of room. But you say the red tail are aggressive will they go for the plecs and shrimp?

 

[snazy]

I doubt it shrimp will survive in a shark tank. I am not sure about a small pleco to be honest but I would guess it would be ok when adult. The red tail sharks don't like their own species, so just one of them is best and they are not compatible with some other sharks. As for aggressiveness, have a look on youtube