sunshine pleco

Zebra_L46 · Post by **Zebra_L46** » 27 Feb 2006, 23:16

Hi everyone,

Would a small sunshine pleco l14(Scobinancistrus aureatus) be alright living with 5 zebra plecs in a 40 gal Rio Xingu set up? I know they are from the same place but is a sunshine likely to bully the zebs? and how fast do they grow when would i have to move it to a bigger tank?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 28 Feb 2006, 09:33

I haven't kept this combo, but for what I understand, is relatively peaceful.

If you have some caves that are only big enough for the H. zebra, so they can hide if they need to, then that would help.

They are definitely not a slow-growing species, so depending on the size of "small", you'd be looking at maybe a year or two in a 40 gal tank. Ultimate size of this fish is a good 30cm/12", so you need a final tank that is at least 4' x 2' x 2'.

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Mats

Zebra_L46 · Post by **Zebra_L46** » 28 Feb 2006, 10:34

cheers MatsP
there in a 40"x18"x18" tank and i was thinking of one 2" in size. do you think this would work or should i just stick to the zebs?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 28 Feb 2006, 10:58

To be perfectly honest, I'd stick to the H. Zebra - they are a little bit too hard to find (and expensive) to risk mixing with anything that may cause a problem.

The L14 looks stunning, and I'd like to have one, but my own rules say that I must get the big tank FIRST, then get the fish, and so far I've only got almost big enough a tank...

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Mats

Zebra_L46 · Post by **Zebra_L46** » 28 Feb 2006, 15:13

I think you are right

as much as i would love to have one i think the zebras have to come first.
thanks for your help

Zebrapl3co · Post by **Zebrapl3co** » 28 Feb 2006, 16:57

You never mention how big was your L14. I've keep them togother when they where all the same size. But in 1/2 a year, that quickly changed and the L14 did kick the zebra out of which ever cave she choose. Small scuffle over food territory do happen. At about the 1 year mark, I have to move the L14 out because it was just getting too big. There was one incident where a zebra refuse to move out of the cave and the L14 gave him a good nip that draws a bit of blood from the zebrapleco's fin.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 28 Feb 2006, 17:08

Zebrapl3co: Zebra_L46 wrote

i was thinking of one 2" in size

.

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Mats