Mopani Wood + Royal Pleco

[Acetone]

Hi Just joined and hope not to be posting too much as I tend to post only when I need help.

I have recently aquired a small (about 2") Dull eyed Royal Pleco L191 took me a bit to work out what it was as the LFS was advertising it as a pajama suckermouth. But the first thing I bought for my 70 litre tank was some mopani wood as I read up that wood is essential as part of a more natural diet. the question is... is Mopani wood good for them to eat or would a better wood be more suitable?

 

[ZoddyZod]

welcome to the forum!

bad news for you now.....that fish gets fairly large (over a foot in length) so is not suitable for your tank long term.


as for the wood, I think I've read somewhere that mopani is actually too hard for them to rasp on, but I'm not sure. I'm going to move this thread to the plec section and hopefully someone with more knowledge can answer.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Malaysian worm wood is probably one of the best for wood eating plecos.

 

[Acetone]

Thanks for the welcome. May have to find some softer wood then and as for tank size yeah I know had to get the father in law to take my common plec off my hands has he was getting massive. but have a plan and I am upgrading to this http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/fish-tanks/column-aquarium-fish-tanks/gloss-column-cylinder-view-aquarium.html the 260 litre version hoping this should be ok long term. then getting more Odessa and tiger barbs as my tank has been perfect for the last year no aggression and they all school together

 

[xingumike]

Yes Mopani is a little hard for Panaque imo, the darker bog/driftwood that LFS sell seems a better fit for them.

I wouldn't worry too much about the ultimate size at this point, they are very slow growers, approx an inch a year in my experience.

Whether the filter of a tank that small is up to the amount of waste they produce would be my initial concern.

 

[Acetone]

I am doing about 30% water changed weekly and had a 6" common plec in before this 2" dull eyed royal so I always check the water parameters mid change. Also just ordered some Oak that my mate(tree surgeon) has piled up so looking to pinch some of that when needed

 

[xingumike]

Make sure it is dry, as in little or no sap.