Plecs + Driftwood/Bogwood

[CFC]

Mopani is not suitable for Panaques (royal plecs, blue eyes etc) to rasp on as it has been sand blasted leaving only parts that are indigestable, the plecs will rasp on and pass it but will gain no benefit from it resulting in small skinny looking unhealthy specimins. Royals should grow to around 12" within 10 years but very few do due to a lack of proper wood in their diet, when keeping these fish new pieces of wood should be added monthly as only the very top layers of wood contain the lignin which is essential for them to grow.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

lol, we can rely on CFC to clear these things up for us!!

 

[SirMinion]

...new pieces of wood should be added monthly as only the very top layers of wood contain the lignin which is essential for them to grow.

I don't suppose any manufacturers make a plec food that contains lignin do they?

 

[Fawke]

one other thing.... your Hypostomus Punctatus will not stop at 6-7" - try 12-15".

Im not too sure about that. The research i did into the specific species i have of(Hypostamus Punctatus) led me to beleive these could grow 12-14" in the wild, but barely reach 8" in captivity.....

I quote, from the book - The Interpet Encyclopedia of Freshwater Tropical Aquarium Fishes

"Hypostomus Punctatus -
....... Length, up to 12" - This catfish can grow from 6-8" in a public aquarium but is unlikely to in a home aquarium......

This book, also, has the only picture that is a spitting image of my plec. Other research has also led me to beleive this.

A search on internet led me to think (initially) that this was a common plec, but does not look like one IMO....
Hypostamus Punctatus are not common plecs. Are they?

If i do find myself with a 12" plec in my tank, i will be sure to move him to another or give it away to a more suitable home, gutted as i would be (im fond of the little (or not?) fellow).... dont worry

Thanks all for your input, long may the info on wood continue!

 

[rvm]

Mopani is not suitable for Panaques (royal plecs, blue eyes etc) to rasp on as it has been sand blasted leaving only parts that are indigestable, the plecs will rasp on and pass it but will gain no benefit from it resulting in small skinny looking unhealthy specimins. Royals should grow to around 12" within 10 years but very few do due to a lack of proper wood in their diet, when keeping these fish new pieces of wood should be added monthly as only the very top layers of wood contain the lignin which is essential for them to grow.

Wow . I didn't know that. and I did a LOT of research on royals before I got mine. I think I'll be going out to get some more wood later then!!!
Thanks for the heads up CFC!!!