Is My Tank Overstocked?

[ScoutCarcer]

I will give him wood. But I still say it doesnt matter

 

[Torrean]

why doesn't it matter?

 

[ScoutCarcer]

It doesnt matter to ME

 

[ScoutCarcer]

...And Its just a little difference and Doesnt Matter

 

[Torrean]

As long as what you have is a sailfin or a common. If it's not then you may have to add wood and take other considerations. If it is a sailfin or common then it should be rehomed immediately to prevent undue stress on the fish. In your tank he will grow more slowly but his life will be shortened by this. If you have a tank that you can move him into then do so.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

I was thinking about setting up a 40 gallon so if I do I'll put him in there.

 

[Torrean]

do you know what kind he is yet?

 

[ScoutCarcer]

I dont know the difference

 

[sylvia]

Post a pic in the catfish section and mention your tank's size as well.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

I have before

 

[sylvia]

And? What did they say?

Can I just explain something because I think you misunderstood what people were saying before. I may be wrong but just in case.

Basically, what they've been saying is not that it matters whether your fish is a sailfin as opposed to a common but that it matters whether your fish is a sialfin/common or not.

Sailfins and commons are both very similar in their requirements, the huge size they get to and the fact that they require wood. Unfortunately, they are also the most readily available of all plecs.

Other plecs such as bristlenoses don't require wood. Bristlenoses, in particular, are also quite often available and most species of ancistrus (the genus of the 'bristlenoses') don't exceed 4-6".

Still others have very specific requirements - eg zebra plecs.

What you need to find out is if this plec is a sailfin/common or if it is not. If it is, it needs to be moved and provided with wood in a much larger tank. If it is not, you have to find out what it is anyway as if it is something like a bristlenose, it'll do fine in your tank without wood permanently but if its something else, you may need to re-home it or alter your tank's conditions to suit its requirements.

 

[ScoutCarcer]

They didnt say anything.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

if anybody else could go confirm this for me, i'd really appreciate it.

 

[Torrean]

sylvia I must be very confused. I was not aware that commons and sailfins needed wood. Thanks for the enlightenment. I've never heard this before.