Gibbicep and Plants?

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DGalt
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Gibbicep and Plants?

Post by DGalt »

I'm going to be planting my 15 gallon this week and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with gibbicep plecos and plants (I know he's going to outgrow this tank, btw...he's just a little guy right now though)

I know he rips apart the cucumber I put in the tank for him, but according to the description here (L083) he shouldn't eat the plants. I've heard conflicting stories, though, about different types of pl*cos rasping the plant leaves (especially the broader plant leaves). Just want to make sure :wink:

thanks :D
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MatsP
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Re: Gibbicep and Plants?

Post by MatsP »

Almost all plecos will rasp on plants. They do this as they graze for food - this grazing behaviour is perfectly normal pleco behaviour, and the main reason they started being imported in the first place (they eat algae off all surfaces in the tank). As long as the fish is sufficiently fed, it shouldn't overly harm plants, but there are several factors here:
  • Some plants are less durable than others...
  • Fish are individuals - they don't all do the same thing the same way.
  • What one person/fish thinks is sufficent may not be in some other person's/fish's eyes (or guts?)
Btw, I moved this topic to the Loricariidae section.

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briggadane
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Re: Gibbicep and Plants?

Post by briggadane »

Mine likes to redecorate. I find plants at the top of the tank every day.
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MatsP
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Re: Gibbicep and Plants?

Post by MatsP »

briggadane wrote:Mine likes to redecorate. I find plants at the top of the tank every day.
Sure, once they get big enough, plants need to be SECURELY fastened to the substrate or they will "bulldoze" them - they aren't the most agile swimmers either, so they will sometimes just "make a path" rather than circumvent softer obstacles.

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loachy_406
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Re: Gibbicep and Plants?

Post by loachy_406 »

I have a bunch of Elodia canadensis(?) which I have three strips of lead around! This was not even because of my 4' BN, just my Loaches and Corys. Mind you the strands were around 40cm long so they would be moved in the current.
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DGalt
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Re: Gibbicep and Plants?

Post by DGalt »

I guess I'll just have to see what happens. :mrgreen:

hopefully all will go well. I'd rather not have to find a new home for the little guy lol (grown rather attached to him)
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Bas Pels
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Re: Gibbicep and Plants?

Post by Bas Pels »

DGalt wrote:I guess I'll just have to see what happens. :mrgreen:

hopefully all will go well. I'd rather not have to find a new home for the little guy lol (grown rather attached to him)
Actually, I'm afraid you will need to do so soon

I got mine at approx. 6 cm, and after a year they measured 20. So either you gibby does not get what it requires - and thus remains small, or it will outgrow your tank in a matter of months
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