Plecos & My 55 Gallon

[draxis]

Currently I received a 6-7" Pleco from someone who mistreated him.  The water is beyond dirty, over a year since he cleaned it, and who knows if he feed the poor guy.  I took him in but only have a 55 gallon; simply because I felt really bad for the guy.  I only have a few platys and 2 loaches (it is not over-stocked at all) I am going slowly.  However, I did have one 2" Pleco; I think they are BOTH common plecos.
 
 
Any way I know 1 pleco needs 75 gallons but in reality I have an UGF and Emperor system(s) on the top.  Yeah, 4x filtered water LOL.  So can I get away with this since I have MAJOR water movements for oxygen or should I move the small guy to a 20G or something?
 
They are friends and cuddle at night together so... hopefully I can find a way?

 

[Blondielovesfish]

If they are both common plecos then you will need to rehome them in the near future. If you were to keep both you would probably need a 150+ gallon tank.
 
The reason that they need such big tanks isn't because of how much waste they produce (though they do produce a lot), its more about the size they get when they're fully grown and how active they are. Most commons get over a foot long and, even though you won't see it much, they're active fish (the reason you won't really see them active is because they're mostly nocturnal).
 
In your current size tank, you can keep both of them TEMPORARILY with your filtration until you can rehome them.

 

[draxis]

@Blondielovesfish
 
Do you think it is safe to keep 1 for almost life if understocking tank?  I understand the waste and the size.  However, the width x length should be enough for him to turn even at 20"; only one though.

 

[Betta_Shark5678]

For a 20" pleco you should have a tank that is at least 20" wide.  In a 55 gallon tank, which has a standard width of around 12", your pleco at 20" will barely have room to turn around.  Even if you under stock he won't be comfortable in that size tank, and will likely become stunted.  :\
 
I agree with blondie, you could keep them temporarily, but you'll have to rehome them, or upgrade you tank eventually.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

@Blondielovesfish
 
Do you think it is safe to keep 1 for almost life if understocking tank?  I understand the waste and the size.  However, the width x length should be enough for him to turn even at 20"; only one though.

 
unfortunately no.
Like BettaShark said, the pleco will become stunted and will have a shorter life span and won't be very happy