Rehome Common Pleco

[**sarahp**]

Hi guys
 
I need some help.  When I set up my tank 8 yrs ago I rescued a common pleco from a really bad situation.  He has lived happily in my tank for the last 8 yrs (although he does regulalry trash the place, especially if I've just put some new plants in!!)
 
Last week I had an emergency as my tank started to leak very badly.  I had no option but to get a new one VERY quickly so I bought a second hand one and moved everybody over.  Most survived, just a few casualties

 
The problem now is that Alan (thats the pleco) doesn't seem very happy.  I've hardly seen him all week.  I think the problem is that this tank is a fair bit smaller than my previous tank its 48"x12"x15".  The other issue is that it has some kind of cover that is part of the tank right on the water level so he cannot come up to the surface like he used to.  I've tried dropping the water level but I didn't realise quickly enough and I think he bumped his nose a few times and has just given up now

 
I will get a new tank but probably not for 6 months or so and I'm wondering what to do about Alan.  Do I keep him and hope he doesn't get too depressed or do I try and rehome him (which I know is easier said than done)  I live near a massive oceanarium place who sometimes take commons - I've seen them.  And that causes me another issue they seem to have loads of them and although the tank is massive the plecos barely seem to move which doesn't seem right either.
 
I really don't know what to do.  I don't really want to get rid of Alan but he just doesn't seem happy.  I'm hoping someone has some suggestions.
 
Sorry this is such a long ramble but I'm worried about him and most people think "its just a fish"  but he isn't

 

[Far_King]

How big is Alan?  I'm guessing that given he's over eight years old he must be quite a size by now?

 

[**sarahp**]

How big is Alan?  I'm guessing that given he's over eight years old he must be quite a size by now?

 
He's only about 20/25cm's.  I think he's stunted from his previous home as he really hasn't grown that much.  I was just looking at a previous post about him
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/278258-is-rescue-pleco-stunted/#entry2312666
 
he hasn't grown much at all, he's just a bit fatter

 

[Far_King]

Stunted?  I suppose he may be given his age.  From what you say he's about 10" but the pics make him look 12"
 
He's a good looking pleco

 

[**sarahp**]

he hasn't grown much since those pics in 2009. 
 
He gets fed well, different varieties of pellets, veggies (msuhroom is his favourite) prawns but he just doesn't grow.
 
Regardless of size he doesn't seem happy in the new tank

 

[Akasha72]

he's probably a bit stressed out and I'd persevere for a bit longer and see if he perks up. I had two BN's that turned out to be both male. One day I caught them fighting, it was horrible to watch and I had to get one of them out in a panic before they killed each other. One spent the night in my Dad's 2ft tank until the lfs opened in the morning. The remaining BN disappeared for days. He just hid. I was worried too but he came round eventually. He is a shy boy though and I don't see him venture out everyday but I can see he's happy layed under my wood where he's made a cave. 
 
You say your's likes mushrooms (never heard of that one ... do you feed them raw or cooked?) see if you can cheer him up with his favourite food. Six months will soon pass and I can't see him growing much in that time if he hasn't grown that much in 8 years.

 

[Far_King]

They can be shy and are primarily nocturnal.  He may just be taking time to adjust after what happened.
Keep the lighting off for a while or on just for a short period of time and you may find he comes out of his shell.
 
My Gold Nugget has taken a good six months to be regularly seen anywhere but his favourite bogwood cave - especially if the light is on.
I never see my BN, only the occasional swoosh of sand.
 
He'll come around

 

[**sarahp**]

Hi thanks for the advice - I think I was panicking because he is normally so boisterous.  But thinking about it I suppose if I'd been man-handled for the first time in 8 yrs I might be a bit shell-shocked too! 
 
I'm going to give him longer to come round to the idea. 
 
As for the mushrooms - he loves them raw.  Pushes the other fish out of the way for them - thats the only food he does that with - everything else he's a big softie and waits until the others have moved away