Plecs

[Rorie]

Maybe my previous post was in the wrong bit as it was in the profile area

I want a plec for my new aquarium. It must look good, not be super shy (though i know they are generally shy, but some more so than others), and must not grow massive.

The GN is a choice that stands out to me - not MASSIVE, looks good, but how shy is it?

Any other suggestions?

I have an issue with plecs though - they all have such large adult sizes...like 19inches. How do you manage to accommodate that? My LFS always have loads in stock (and hence sell loads) but who on earth is buying them? Do they normally die before getting that large or what?

 

[Carlovel1]

How big is your tank? We can help you find nice species for you tank

 

[Verminator89]

There are many that don't get to be massive and are FAR more stunning IMO. 3 plecs which i absolutely love that i own, and max out at about 8" are


Magnum Plec
Golden Nugget Plec
Lemon Spot Plec


Albeit i did just lose my Golden Nugget the other day, very temperamental fish IME.

LFS sell fish that get way to big for most of the aquarists in the hobby. Its unfortunate but they do buy BIG fish without knowing, or do so knowingly which is bad. Its never going to stop, you just have to do what you can by knowing your stuff as i doubt shops will stop. A LFS near me have baby Redtail Catfish and Pangasius Catfish. Amazing fish, but highly innapropriate for general shops to have on display to everyone for sale!

 

[Rorie]

I have a 340l ish tank. I want about 70 cardinal tetras, maybe a couple bigger fish as my centre piece, x amount (I have no idea how many for my tank given my other stock) shrimp, and a nice but decently sized plec!

The lemon one does not look to dissimilar to the GN, is it a bit hardier?

I had a nice plec (it was given to me) but it died as it NEvER came out to eat is this a common problem?

 

[Carlovel1]

I have a 340l ish tank. I want about 70 cardinal tetras, maybe a couple bigger fish as my centre piece, x amount (I have no idea how many for my tank given my other stock) shrimp, and a nice but decently sized plec!

The lemon one does not look to dissimilar to the GN, is it a bit hardier?

I had a nice plec (it was given to me) but it died as it NEvER came out to eat is this a common problem?

A beautiful pleco is the Para Pleco L075. Its less shy than the GNP

 

[juggernuts]

I would personally reccommend an l134 they are great, i have 11 at the minute! dont hide all the time and are truley beautiful!

Or what about an l333 they are also a great favourite, i found GN's to be quite tempramental with the water and need great care although i think with a 340l tank the stats will be more stable etc


Best of luck!

 

[Rorie]

I would personally reccommend an l134 they are great, i have 11 at the minute! dont hide all the time and are truley beautiful!

Or what about an l333 they are also a great favourite, i found GN's to be quite tempramental with the water and need great care although i think with a 340l tank the stats will be more stable etc


Best of luck!

Hmm, I love all the ones stated above! How difficult are they to get a hold of though? Would I be best getting it online? How big do these plecs get if you have 11 of them?!

 

[juggernuts]

Ha they dont get very big 3" tops really, but they vary in pattern so all are unique there great the l134's! personal favourite.

It depends where you live i suppose your best keeping an eye on aquarist classified for someone a little closer to yourself.


Good luck with what ever you choose though!


Paul

 

[rdp50734]

Whats your budget? Its a very important thing when choosing plecs as some are very expensive!

I have always had a thing for scarlet plecs very good looking but expensive!

Also rusty plecs are great for being out and about!

 

[MikeO]

My L137 is about 7" and has been for a long time - He is bueatiful too - nice markings and dark red tinged fins with blue tinged eyes.

Was a bit heavy on the wallet at just over £50 tho and very hard to get hold of due to the S.American export bans.

 

[Carlovel1]

My L137 is about 7" and has been for a long time - He is bueatiful too - nice markings and dark red tinged fins with blue tinged eyes.

Was a bit heavy on the wallet at just over £50 tho and very hard to get hold of due to the S.American export bans.

Sounds like a nice fish, my LFS got these in and are selling them L137 for £15 each, and they are a decent size. I'd love to get one but I'm getting some L134s instead.

 

[myrtle]

For an algae eating plec that's quite small and is out and about a lot you can't beat the good old Bristlenose in my opinion!

 

[Rorie]

Thanks for all the replies.

I heard that places will ruin my planted aquarium, with the exception of a couple. So I have decided, a snowball

 

[guppybreeder1]

id recommend a bristlenose

 

[MikeO]

My L137 is about 7" and has been for a long time - He is bueatiful too - nice markings and dark red tinged fins with blue tinged eyes.

Was a bit heavy on the wallet at just over £50 tho and very hard to get hold of due to the S.American export bans.

Sounds like a nice fish, my LFS got these in and are selling them L137 for £15 each, and they are a decent size. I'd love to get one but I'm getting some L134s instead.

I paid £35 for the actual fish (with the rest being delivery cost) but had a massive problem finding one in my area. Wish I could have found one for £15!!

Assuming of course they are "proper" L137s and not something else marked up as a 137.