I Want A Snowball!

[Christine1014]

Hi all! I've never had a plec, but I'm thinking about getting a snowball. They're great looking and it seems like they stay on the small-ish side. I have a couple of questions before I make my decision, though.

I've seen that some plecs like sand or really fine gravel. I've got the regular gravel. Is that okay for a snowball?

Will he be happy in a 44-gallon (tall) tank?

PH: I read somewhere that they like a Ph of 6.8 - 7.4. Mine's typically around 7.6 - 7.8. (lousy tap water!)


Thanks!!!

 

[Gankutsuou]

there are several snowball plecs. one stays at 4 inches if I remember. L number please?

if it's that one, it'll do great in a 44.

 

[Christine1014]

oh gosh, I have no idea what it's L-number is. I've just been reading up on the different kinds of plecs and really liked the pictures of the snowball, then on the pinned thread in this topic saw that the snowball was on list of plecs that stay under 8 inches... I wasn't even aware there was more than one kind of snowball!! (I should probably figure all this out before I head to store, so I'm sure I'm getting one that's not going to become a monster!)

Thanks!

 

[LisaLQ]

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=204

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=683

There's two different snowballs, the "snowball plec" which is a hypancistrus, and the "mega snowball plec". The mega snowball is a baryancistrus, which is a species that is notoriously hard to acclimatise - like some other sensitive plecs, they lose their gut flora during transit from the wild, and in some cases can effectively starve to death (even if eating again) before they get a chance to build back up enough gut bacteria to process their food. Only buy a fish which has been in the LFS for at least a couple of weeks, and dont buy it if it has sunken eyes or tummy. Even then, they can be a bit iffy - but you'll be more likely to get a healthy one if you follow that advice. Hope that helps

 

[Christine1014]

Thanks Lisa!

 

[Shadow~Fox]

Id say that you should maybe get a few BN (Bristle Nose Plecos) Instead, but I think that if you are careful than you could keep one. Just make shore you read up on them before you buy it.

 

[xingumike]

Id say that you should maybe get a few BN (Bristle Nose Plecos) Instead, but I think that if you are careful than you could keep one. Just make shore you read up on them before you buy it.

Lol, what do u know

 

[Shadow~Fox]

Id say that you should maybe get a few BN (Bristle Nose Plecos) Instead, but I think that if you are careful than you could keep one. Just make shore you read up on them before you buy it.

Lol, what do u know

I actually know quite a bit. Surprise new kid knows some answers!
I most likely know the same if not more than you.

 

[xingumike]

Id say that you should maybe get a few BN (Bristle Nose Plecos) Instead, but I think that if you are careful than you could keep one. Just make shore you read up on them before you buy it.

Lol, what do u know

I actually know quite a bit. Surprise new kid knows some answers!
I most likely know the same if not more than you.

bet ya dont know what shore means

 

[sargent_skank]

actually nick, zeb, clownfish god, black pantha, whatever you want to call yourself. you know nothing. all you know how to do is lie, and then lie some more and when you think you have lied enough you tell another lie. if you know so much why ask stupid questions on here, pc, pf and zp?

 

[Shadow~Fox]

actually nick, zeb, clownfish god, black pantha, whatever you want to call yourself. you know nothing. all you know how to do is lie, and then lie some more and when you think you have lied enough you tell another lie. if you know so much why ask stupid questions on here, pc, pf and zp?

 

[LisaLQ]

Come on guys, give it a rest - let the OP get some real advice rather than take it off track

 

[stang1]

Come on guys, give it a rest - let the OP get some real advice rather than take it off track

I agree.
I've got a Snowball Pleco in a 48G tank and he is fine. If you follow Lisa's advice you should have no problems. Ours is the smaller of the two but he is very shy. He lives under a piece of bogwood and does pop his head out from time to time in the day.
Good luck with whatever you decide but I can assure you, you won't regret buying one!

 

[sargent_skank]

actually nick, zeb, clownfish god, black pantha, whatever you want to call yourself. you know nothing. all you know how to do is lie, and then lie some more and when you think you have lied enough you tell another lie. if you know so much why ask stupid questions on here, pc, pf and zp?

at least you dont have to use spell checker!