I need help IDing my pleco

sishgupta · Post by **sishgupta** » 15 Jan 2006, 03:29

Hey everyone I am new here.
I just recently bought this pleco from petsmart (dumb), but I've thought they were cool for a long time and decided to get one.

I asked the guy at the pet store how large it would get and he said 6 inches. I need to know if this is true after reading that most plecos grow MUCH larger.

I need to know the size of this fish so I know if I need to find it a new home (aka new owner

) or if it can live in my tank.
In order to determine if this fish will most likely be 6 inches (or smaller) I need to ID it. I cant remember the tag that was on the tank at the store, but I don't trust thoes anyway.

Please help me ID this fish. I would be greatful for the help that anyone can give me.

Thanks
-Sish

Also, the more replies the better. If one person says it something and you disagree please post your guess and why. Or if you do agree, please say so.

Post by **Silurus** » 15 Jan 2006, 03:54

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/lo ... c/88_F.PHP

sishgupta · Post by **sishgupta** » 15 Jan 2006, 07:55

Thanks for that amazingly quick response. (5 min)

Regarding size, on your the catelog it says 10 inches. Is that max, min, or avg size?
Also does that mean that the guy at the pet store was wrong?
A 4 inch difference is a big difference for me.

Also what is the deal with the rather large air bubble this guy lets out ever few minutes. Then it rockets to the top and grabs some more air!

sishgupta · Post by **sishgupta** » 15 Jan 2006, 08:05

crep...after reading more i think i need to give my fish away...

he will grow way too large for my tank.

What would be the best way to go about doing this?

or i need to buy a new tank, however i do not have much money and would need a place that sells good but cheap tanks. For a new tank id need the tank, the canopy with light, and a new filter.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 15 Jan 2006, 12:42

The measurements in the cat-elog are SL (standard length), which is the length of the fish excluding the tail. The reason this length is chosen is because many fish have trailing fin filaments, and a total length (TL) would give a inaccurate guide to how big the fish is.

However, when considering the husbandry requirements of the fish, the total length should be considered.

I think 10 inches (SL) is rather conservative for this fish. Wels atlas 2 (the most up to date and accurate loricariid tome) states 24 inches SL. I have seen fish of at least 16 inches TL.

It will take many years for your fish to grow that big, but once it is that large, you will find it very hard to rehome it.

With regard to your fish, I would strongly recommend you take the poor creature back to shop, as it will need a tank of AT LEAST 6X2X2 feet.

A better proposition would be a common bristlenose. .

How big is your tank?

With regard to to the air breathing, it is quite normal for this fish to do that, as they can breathe air through their gut. It may indicate that you have and oxygen deficiency in the tank though. What's your stock and water parameters?

kalija · Post by **kalija** » 15 Jan 2006, 13:48

I agree with Racoll, I have one that is AT LEAST 16 inches (he's grown some since the last time I moved and measured him...)
I wouldn't count on it growing slowly though, I found that he grew rather rapidly up to about 10 inches, then he slowed down some. I bought him 15 years ago for my first 10 gallon tank, never suspecting that anyone who worked at a fish store would lie about the size he would grow to. Now I know better and I am afraid that it is rather common, unfortunately. Anyway he outgrew that tank in less than 3 monthes. Outgrew a 29 in less than 6. Kept him in a 55, 75 and a 90. Now he is in a 125 and his growth slowed down quite a bit. I am hoping this one will last him.
As much as I love him, I wouldn't do it again if I had known and I would suggest you take yours back. Even if you want a big tank in the future, a fish this big really restricts what else you can have, because he puts out a LOT of waste. There are a lot of plecos that stay much smaller and are more manageable. Keep in mind I have had this guy for 15 years and he shows no signs of going anytime soon, so it is truly a lifetime commitment.

laurab5 · Post by **laurab5** » 15 Jan 2006, 15:01

WOW, that is very old. I have heard reports of zebra plecos still breeding after being owned for 15 years, so they are probably 17 years at least. How old can these guys get, anyone know. That thing is older than me probably, i just turned 15

sishgupta · Post by **sishgupta** » 15 Jan 2006, 23:55

I have a 20 gallon tank, with 4 zebra danios, 5 betas, and one unknown (got it from a friend who needed to give up their tank), its prolly a tetra of some sort.

This pleco is only 2 inches long. I dont think he is having problems breating. He only does the bubble thing when hes eating lots.

With this guy my tank is stocked to the brim but I was going to buy a new larger tank in the near future to house everything. Unfortunately i cant afford nor do i have the room for a friggin 6 foot long tank. That is really quite large.

I guess ill reluctantly have to take it back. You guys are sure about the species and everything? And is a week too long to take it back? What do i put it in to take it back? i dont really have any bags for it.

Im frustrated and dissapointed right now, i really like this guy.

natefrog · Post by **natefrog** » 16 Jan 2006, 05:00

If you don't care about getting your money back from the store for your fish, I would suggest keeping him for a couple of months and watching him. I have bought a number of fish that I eventually took back to the pet store for someone else to enjoy, and to clear tank space for something different (the pet stores generally don't mind because they get to sell the fish twice and pay for once).

(Now before everyone jumps down my throat about the ethics of this scenario, remember that people keep fish for many different reasons).

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 16 Jan 2006, 11:01

You guys are sure about the species and everything?

Yes it is a Liposarcus i'm afraid. We get several posts a week with people buying one of these fish for their 20 gallon tank!

It's not really your fault they gave you the wrong information, but it shows that you can't always trust the shops. Especially chains like Petsmart.

And is a week too long to take it back?

Probably if you want your money back, but as they gave you bad information about the fish, if you speak to the manager, they should do.

What do i put it in to take it back?

i just use a bucket with a lid, although it depends on how far you have to travel.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 17 Jan 2006, 10:39

Transporting fish of small-ish size isn't too hard. In this case, I'd suggest you use the same method as the shops, a strong plastic bag (the ones sold as freezer bags rather than the really thin ones sold for wrapping your sandwiches or such). It's MORE important to have lots of air in the bag than to have lots of water, as long as the fish is covered. Blow up the bag like a baloon to make it more sturdy.

Pleco's are spiny and "sharp", so a second bag on the outside will help keep the water in the right place.

A brown paper bag or some newspaper around the plastic bag will help keep the light out, which reduces the stress of the fish, and also helps reduce the temperature loss as the bag is being transported.

I blagged some bags from my local store for the purpose of transporting them back.

--
Mats