so what should i do with the plec?bring him back to the store? why cant i keep him and feed him like i feed my other fish? the guy in the store actually told me plecs eat worms or something i cant remember and then i told him i dont want to buy worms and he said use flakes then, they have 4 plecs in a 10 gall tank with like 10 other community fish in the store so what are u talkin about? u are making me feel bad again, i am gonna leave this forum if you keep on doing that, you are being paranoid for stuff that isnt even right.
I'm not trying to make you feel bad, if you had any idea about what I'm like you would know that I love starting new people off in this hobby on the right foot. Fish are as diverse a species as mammals, you couldn't properly keep a rinocerous in the same quarters with the same diet as a housecat. They actually are that different. I'm sure you're familiar with minnows, and probably bass. Our aquarium fish are just as dissimilar, just from a warmer area of the planet, and require the same difference in space & food.
Your local shop is keeping those fish on a temporary basis, the same as a shop keeps puppys in smaller quarters than you would ever even consider keeping them in long term as an adult. I don't suggest anyone stock a tank with angels the way I do, unless they are breeding angels. I sell angels by the hundreds to shops like your friend owns, and breed some plecs & livebearers on the side for a little fun & to keep my angel tanks clean. Have a quick look;
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/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=209553&hl=
As has been stated before, fish shops are in it for the money, many operate much the same as a shady used car salesman. I deal with shops & broker several times weekly, along with other local breeders. The ones I won't deal with outnumber the ones I will, because they give incorrect info, try to convince new aquarists of things that are not correct, and in general care more about money than living things.
As far as feeding the plec; bloodworms are good, frozen bloodworms are a convenient way of keeping a supply on hand. I always have some in my freezer. Zuccini is an excellent veg for plecs, but a whole one, slice it up into smaller portions, and freeze it. One minute in a cup of water in the microwave softens a larger piece, smaller ones take about 30 seconds. Look around at garage sales, and local ads in the paper for a larger tank, that plec will need one soon. If you can't get a larger tank, then yes, bring him back to the store.
Not one person responding so far is being anywhere near paranoid, you actually have been given some very good info by some accomplished aquarists. You can get an incredible amount of info, as well as a good education in aquatics here. All it takes is some time, and the electricity to run your computer. Stick around & learn, it's the best bargain in town.