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Hi everyone, I currently have a queen arabesque pleco (L260) in my 20 gallon tank, and I like him (or her-I'm not sure) so much that I am thinking of buying another. I was just wondering if they enjoy their own company or if they will fight/be agressive towards one another. This is a very peaceful tank and I am looking to keep it that way. Thanks for any replies!

One more thing...I was reading up on how to sex them and it says "males longer interopercular, pectoral odontodes". What exactly does this mean? I highly doubt I'll have a chance to examine their bellies for marbling at the lfs. Thanks again![/quote]

A 20 gallon tank is not big enough for 2 plecs.

Do you mean because of their size? Or because of their temperment? The cat e-log says the max size is 3.6" which is hardly a large pleco...

I wouldn't consider it to be a problem, as long as it's not 2 males...

Hi!

It might be a concern if you have only one hidding place to offer... if each fish has a place to hide it should not be a problem... even if they are 2 males...
Cheers
Yann

westwood8183 wrote:Do you mean because of their size? Or because of their temperment? The cat e-log says the max size is 3.6" which is hardly a large pl*co...

Howdy,
To be more specific a pair in a twenty alone would be fine. I am assuming other fish are in the tank as well and was referring to bio-load. Two 3-1/2" plecs can create a LOT of waste.
Blue skies,
Mike

hypancistrus species create considerably less waste than you standard pleco IME. It's probably got a lot to do with the fact they eat meaty foods, so they can digest a larger percentage of it.

I'll agree with that, but, it's still considerably more waste than most aquarium fish produce.

Hi, thanks for all the replies! I'm not too worried about the bioload...the tank is pretty lightly stocked with 4 panda corys, 2 otos, and 2 rams. I do 25% weekly water changes and it is pretty heavily planted as well.

Could anyone explain in laymans terms how to sex them? Are odontodes the little extensions that come off of their gill plates? Mine does have those...but as far as determining whether or not they are long I have no idea.

Also on the first ray of the pectoral fins the males will have lots of little spikes. They will also generally have brighter colors, but it isn't as noticable unless you have two right next to each other.

In my opinion, with the weekly water changes and plants, you should be fine. If you do plan to do it, just make sure there are plenty of caves and crevices to choose from. It would be a good idea to deworm the plecs though. Wild caught plecs carry all sorts of internal parasites. You can do that using discomed.

I think I get the picture now Thanks! The extensions on my little guy (or gal) are no where near that long. How big do they need to be in order to sex them? Mine is maybe 3" from head to tail and there are no signs of those big extensions.

Barbie: I take it the cat e-log is a little off on the potential size? Or is the 3.6 measuring from the head to the base of the tail maybe?

westwood8183 wrote:Or is the 3.6 measuring from the head to the base of the tail maybe?

Almost all of the measurements in the Cat-e-Log are in SL, or from the tip of the snout to the end of the caudal peduncle.

Rusty

Yup, I did read that article. The only problem is I don't think my lfs would appreciate turning them all over so I can see their stomachs! Thanks again for all the help.

if they dont let you turn them over you dont have the chance to look for sick induviduals either..

mallemalle