What Plec Is This?

[phishyphil]

Anyone name this little guy of mine

http/postimage.org/image/2iveql25g/def56a0b/

 

[fluttermoth]

I'd need a clearer picture, but it looks rather like a gibbi to me, in which case it won't be a 'little guy' for very long...

 

[phishyphil]

I'd need a clearer picture, but it looks rather like a gibbi to me, in which case it won't be a 'little guy' for very long...

is a 4 foot tank big enough for him?

 

[minnnt]

If it is a gibbi then no, 4ft won't be adequate. 6ft would be best.

I don't think it is a gibbi, but i am unsure on what it is. lol.

 

[fluttermoth]

Yeah; the shape of the fish isn't too much help with loricariids; we need to be able to see the markings more clearly.

 

[phishyphil]

heres a few more piks for you

http/postimage.org/image/2jjkn9lwk/

http/postimage.org/image/29i1efz7o/

Tanks a little cloudy after recent move!

 

[minnnt]

common plec?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Its either a Common Plec or a Sailfin Plec. They're very closely related, very commonly sold plecos and both types will most likely unfortunately outgrow a 75gal tank.

Common Pleco info & pics;

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=88

Sailfin Pleco info & pics;

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=148

Depending on their genes they can vary a lot in what size they ultimately reach. One Common Pleco i own has grown to 13-14inches long, while another only reach 10-11inches (a sparsely decorated 75gal might suffice for a Common Pleco this small but would certainly not for the larger one- think a tank more along the lines of 5-6ft long minimum).

 

[phishyphil]

a 6foot is due within the next year so hopefully by the time i need to upgrade the 6' 550 litre will be purchassed

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If that is the case then that will be great .
If you only have the one pleco i would keep it to that as when they mature both Common & Sailfin plecos can become aggressive towards each other as well as other large or medium sized growing pleco's. A lot of it comes down to the individual personality of the fish- for example some Common Pleco's are more aggressive than others, but once aggressive behaviour starts it doesn't stop.

Common & Sailfin pleco's produce a lot of waste so strong filtration is a must- despite being commonly sold as "algae eaters" only juveniles spend a lot of time concentrating on algae and as they grow larger they pay less interest in it. They are opportunistic scavengers with a largely herbivorous diet but they also need a bit of protein in it too. Feeding your pleco high protein foods like cooked mussels or high protein catfish pellets will go down very well, but most of the time you should feed it foods like algae wafers & cucumber etc .