My Plecostomus + pictures

**Dogz** · 12-22-2003, 06:03 PM

Wow, your pictures turned out wonderful! What a pretty home and fish.

I can't think of any names at the moment, but if I think of anything, I will let you know.

**CathyBogart** · 12-22-2003, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by Kfamr
was told they adjust their size to the size of the tank (if they aren't already huge when put in) We've had him for a while so i'm not sure he'll get much bigger. We'll see.

That's a pretty common misconception about fishies and reptiles, but they do start to grow VERY slowly after awhile, so you prolly won't have to worry for awhile yet!

**Twisterdog** · 12-22-2003, 11:12 PM

Can I get drift wood at the pet store?

Yes, you can. I bought a piece for my pleco for about $5, I think, and it was pretty cool looking, too.

Fish do grow slower in a small tank, but they do continue to grow. I personally think it is better to get them a larger tank and let them reach a more natural size, than to keep them in a tank too small for them and stunt their development. Some fish we normally think of as "small" aren't really meant to be small at all. Common feeder goldfish, for example, can reach HUGE sizes, if allowed to live and grow naturally.

My pleco's name was Pete.

**CathyBogart** · 12-23-2003, 02:08 AM

My pleco's name was Pleco. I am unoriginal.

**Kfamr** · 12-23-2003, 02:29 PM

We bought some algea tablets last night. He's a a big bucket right now while we re-decorate my room. I bought a new filter, new rocks, new plants (a certain puppy thought they'd be a good chew toy, and got them off of my dresser

)

I put one of his big rocks in there with him so he could hide in it if he wanted. He also has one of his plants in there. I hope he'll be fine for now.

**PepperRSM** · 12-24-2003, 09:14 PM

I had one of those a few years ago. We named it Kirby after the vacuum since he sucked on the side of the tank

**Christiansmommy** · 12-24-2003, 09:54 PM

Originally posted by PepperRSM
I had one of those a few years ago. We named it Kirby after the vacuum since he sucked on the side of the tank

That's cute!! How about Hoover then???

**Twisterdog** · 12-25-2003, 02:28 PM

Kirby ... that's pretty cute!

My son loved the movie "The Brave Little Toaster" when he was younger. He loved Kirby the vacuum. Everytime I would get the vacuum out to vacuum the house, my son would run over, throw his arms around it and scream, "Kirby!!!! I missed you!!! I love you!!!!", then proceed to have a long talk with Kirby, while sitting on him. I finally just started vacuuming after he went to sleep.

**roopooroo** · 12-26-2003, 03:12 AM

It's difficult to say with 100% certainty withouth seeing the entire fish nor know its size or age, but it appears to me you have a "Network" or "King Tiger" or "Scribbled" pleco, more specifically Hypancistrus L66. They have a pretty distinctive pattern so I'm betting that's what he is. If so, he won't get any larger than 5", so as long as he is in a tank of 20 gal minimum size you won't have to worry about him outgrowing your tank. They eat a meaty omnivorous diet, so sinking algae wafers are fine but be sure he gets plenty of high-protein stuff such as sinking shrimp pellets and frozen bloodworms. These type are NOT wood-eating, although he will appreciate hanging out under a nice piece of driftwood. Be sure his water is warm (about 80°) and that there is a good current in the tank (can be achieved by turning your filter flow on high). Like most plecos he is nocturnal but you still may see him often in the daylight if he is comfortable with his surroundings.

Here is a wonderful site for learning about all things catfishy.