Plec Size

[mhancock]

I have some plecs that are doing a great job of keeping my tank nice and clean, but was wondering at what point are they too big for the tank and need moving on.
 
If the length of the plec is 20% of the width of the tank, for example - time to find it a bigger home?
 
Thanks,
 
 
 
Mark

 

[sawickib]

What pleco species is it and what size is the tank? 20% of the tank isnt needed to rehome yet if its in a grow out tank, about 40-50% of the width is where you should think about rehousing it.

 

[mhancock]

Thank you!
 
A couple of tanks here and at work, various sizes, common plecs.
 
I'm a little surprised that as much as 50% is OK.
 
 
M

 

[sawickib]

Well if they take up 50% of the tank, they can turn around easily as they can have up to a turn of 360 degrees, im getting a 12" L25 that will be living in a 180 gallon its entire life, which reaches about 17" and the width is 24", but its also 6ft long, so it still has a lot of floor space, width and length is the most important with really any bottom dwellers. Mind if i ask whats your largest tank  for the plecos?

 

[Byron]

I concur, but would also just add that water volume is crucial here too (meaning the OP's question).  While the pleco (or any fish) needs sufficient space to move around, keep in mind that as these fish grow and develop (which they do most of their lives) they need adequate water volume as well as the physical surface area.  They also produce a lot of waste and filtration can only do so much even with water changes of course.
 
Byron.

 

[mhancock]

Hi, biggest tank is 4ft,


M

 

[sawickib]

Thats not very large for a common, unless the tank sis 3ft wide. Unless you dont plan on keeping it forever.

 

[mhancock]

Hi,
 
No I won't keep them forever, hopefully I can find them a new home when they are too big for my tanks.
 
On another note, one of them has the "bone" on the front edge of the top fin exposed, but otherwise looks healthy. The only aggressive fish in the tank is a fighter - is that likely to have had a go at the fin?
 
 
 
M

 

[sawickib]

Hmmm, i dont think a tiny betta can do that to such an armored fish... So you say there is only 2 plecos and 1 betta? 
 
Whats the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates? What decorations do you have in the tank?

 

[Byron]

No I won't keep them forever, hopefully I can find them a new home when they are too big for my tanks.

 
This is a statement that one sees frequently, but it is misguided thinking.  Please allow me to explain.
 
Fish grow continually.  The external size gets larger, and the internal organ development occurs, but these two can occur independently when the tank size is not sufficient for the development.  The physical space is one aspect, but with it there is the water quality that can be significantly affected by the tank size in relation to the various fish.  Water changes being increased help, but unless one is rearing fry (where more fish will be confined within the given space) this is not the best way to handle this.  It is better to have a suitable tank for the fish to ensure it will develop properly.  At its most severe, we refer to this as stunting; but damage to the fish's physiology can  occur long before this stage.
 
If you cannot keep the fish at its mature size, it is better to re-home it sooner rather than waiting.  You do not know (any more than I do) at what stage the fish will begin having trouble in this situation.  It is better and kiner to the fish to provide a suitable environment from the beginning.
 
Byron.

 

[mhancock]

@Byron - thanks for the comments, I tend to agree, hence my original question, and why I queried the comment about a plec being 50% of the tank width!

 

[sawickib]

Do you have an answer for mine so i can better assist you?
 
And maybe a photo of the fish?