Red fin pleco? Whats its real name?

Manix · Post by **Manix** » 24 Mar 2004, 20:51

I cannot not remember the name of this plec. I have the opportunity to buy a 1in 21$ dollar fish.

He has a huge tail fin, big round black spots and all of his fins are red (or should be, they're faded pink right now). Almost looks like he could be a lyre tail. I need to know what he is before I consider buying. I've seen him before but..agh! I thinking of a cactus plec, but I'm not sure.

He's under the name Strenelous red tail. Any ideas?

The only way I would consider him is if I can get a 55gl over the summer and if his max size is under 1ft.

Thanks!

EDIT:EEEK! It is a cactus, lepord cactus. My question now changes! If I can get a 55 in the summer, SHOULD I get him? I have no idea what water type he was bred in and I have semi hardwater and high PH. If the LFS water don't kill him (EXTREMELY HIGH PH) would it be possable to adjust him? Also, hes a Carnivore. I've never kept a meat loving Plec for a long period of time. What can he eat?, Would he be ok, with a rhino plec (6in), and piebald bushy nose(1in) for a few months?

Again thanks

Post by **Barbie** » 24 Mar 2004, 21:17

He should be fine. They aren't overly aggressive as long as they have a cave they are happy with. Mine have been thriving on a primarily vegetable based diet in my tropheus tank. Not the ideal set up, but it is working for now, with both of the L114 showing good growth in the year they've been in there. I would definitely purchase him, if it was me.

Barbie

Manix · Post by **Manix** » 24 Mar 2004, 21:25

Okay, I now have to gamble on the 55... How fast will he put on inches in a 20? I wanna make sure I'm not gonna stress anyone out if he puts on an inch or two before 6 months is up.

The Gamble is my sister letting me set up the 55 in the basement of her new house. Its riding on her finding a house with someplace to put one...oh the horror if this doesn't work!

Yann · Post by **Yann** » 25 Mar 2004, 06:30

Hi!

Personnally I would not house a future 12 in long Pseudacanthicus sp in a 55 gallon, excpet if you keep him all by himself and even with this he'll find the place small...
You should be thinking at getting a 100 gal tank instead...
Cheers
Yann

Post by **Barbie** » 25 Mar 2004, 06:31

The Catelog says 9.6", not 12? Maybe we need to fix that?

Barbie

Manix · Post by **Manix** » 25 Mar 2004, 13:14

The 55 would be a temporary place to keep my fish from getting too cramped. My ultimate goal is between 100 to 200. A big enough tank for all the fish. I have a place to put that big tank, but I have to get a job to buy the place off my parents. When that happens I can only guess. Soon, I hope...

My Rhino should be 12", Pibald 5-4in", Bulldog 4" (full grown already and in aseperate tank.)

Like I said, this is a big gamble and I have a alot of things simply having to fall into place to have it work. I really should say no, but letting some idiot who doesn't know how special this little fish is, buy him, is getting to me! The LFS themselves have no idea what they've got.

I have till this after noon to tell the LFS if I want them to hold the fish until hes acclimated.

Manix · Post by **Manix** » 25 Mar 2004, 22:36

We'll soon find out if this was a mistake or not. I bought the fish. I told them to wait until today for my answer. When I get there,I find they are trying to sale my fish right out from under me! The NERVE! I decided not to ask them to hold him to let him acclimate. His colors were so pale! I brought him home right away. He has been acclimating for three hours already and his colors are popping back out. I feel good about this now that I have him home.

guffiarnold · Post by **guffiarnold** » 25 Mar 2004, 23:15

Congratulations with your new pleco!

Really a beauty, you've got there... Have 3 of them myself... I also have a quite high PH, but it don't seem to bother them.. So good luck keeping it! And let us know how it goes