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Now that my 55 gallon tank is back in use and it has been running trouble free for a couple months with a few livebearers and crays I've begun the process of finding permanent residents. I added a fire eel two weeks ago and I just ordered (2) L114 to add to the tank. The plecos are in the 3"-4" range and they will have plenty of places to explore/hide. The set up has one lattice type hut, a fake tree/plant with a cave built in, some fake rock (set up to make a double open ended cave) and a few live plants on one side.

Once the plecs arrive I plan to remove the crayfish so there is no chance of my new friends being eaten. Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions or tips regarding this particular pleco.

Two is a poorly choosen number for any territorial fish, as one will probably dominate the other. L114 are definitely quite territorial.

I find the one I have has been fairly easy to keep, but quite shy...

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Mats

Good call Mats, you need more than too unless you are lucky enough to get a pair!

I have my fingers crossed that my two are a pair, they are like rocking horse poo around here.

I am putting them into a 245x61x50cm tank with my L278's.

MatsP wrote:Two is a poorly choosen number for any territorial fish, as one will probably dominate the other. L114 are definitely quite territorial.


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Mats

Just so you have a few of the relevant details, my main tank is 183x61x73cm 240 gallons but already has 3 different juvenile plecos living in it(common, L191, and Rubbernose Pleco).

The 55 gallon is 122x32x53 and would only house the (2)L114

My next tank will be a 135 gallon bow front, and if I get lucky, will be the home to some of either L24 or L25

I figure based on the size my 55 gallon tank should provide more than enough room to grow out before I need to seperate them. You know way more about plecos than I do, is there anything you suggest?

Well, as long as you are prepared to either separate them - and they will definitely grow too big for a 55g eventually, but I'd expect it to take a couple of years to get there.

L24/L25 is currently not allowed for export from Brazil, so only ones that are smuggled via Peru/Colombia enter the trade.

Edit: I moved this to the "Loricariidae" forum...

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Mats

Good luck with the new fish.

Just a word of caution, keep an eye on the fire eel they can get to 100cm. I have heard of them eating smaller fish but never a catfish. However if it does try you could have issues as the catfish would likely get stuck in its throat/mouth due to its pectoral or some other spines.

I'm assuming that these L114s are wild caught? Just to be safe, I would put them in a quarantine tank (I'm sure this was your plan) so you can make sure that they've adjusted, and if you need to treat them you can treat the fish and not the tank. You may want to have some API General Cure handy in case something develops (as I learned the hard way, see the below links
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... 64#p180464
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... ost3819144)

Also, several of us have found these plec seem to respond well to NLS Thera A (with garlic) pellets.

Post some pics of your L114s when you get a chance.

joefish72 wrote: The 55 gallon is 122x32x53 and would only house the (2)L114

Linus_Cello wrote:I'm assuming that these L114s are wild caught? Just to be safe, I would put them in a quarantine tank (I'm sure this was your plan)

Yup, I think that was his plan.

Well It's the same Joefish here, somehow my acct got messed up and I couldn't log in so I had to start over.

Yes, my plan was to quarantine the fish then release them into my 55 gallon. Sadly one of them didn't make it through the night. Each one was placed into a floating fry tank inside the same 10 gallon aquarium that had been filled with water from the 55 tank. Air, heat, and filtration were in place but one just didn't survive. They both had a very washed out color and I think maybe the 1300 mile shipping was too stressful. The other one is still in perfect condition and has very nice coloring but will remain in quarantine for 2 more weeks just to be sure everything is ok. It is now free swiming in the 10 gallon and currently hides by hanging on the roof inside a fake rock cave.

I'll get a pic posted soon.

I conur w/MATS, I aquired an L114 and an L600, both about 75mm, at the same auction, introduced them in the same 30 gallon long(36x12x16inches) with lots of "CAVEY" driftwood and there was always territorial disputes. Was forced to move one in the first week,they are both alive and well in seperate tanks with other plecos.