PlanetCatfish.com

Hi all,

And TIA because I already anticipate some interesting answers.

I have an FO L066 in a 55g with a 5" JD and a potential spawning pair of 2" Firemouths. I can tell it is already getting heated up in the tank. My concern is for my L066. I'm pretty sure my JD can handle himself, but it looks like the Male Firemouth has ran the L066 out of his cave. This setup is 1 month old. My JD was the original tank owner, and then I did a rearrangement and added the Firemouths and L066 at the same time. Now the L066, from what I can tell will be spending the majority of his time on the JD's side of the tank for the time being. I guess I should mention that the L066 is about 2-3", he was 2" when I got'em a month ago. My question:

Will my L066 be able to defend himself?

I only know a little about this species and I read the articles on this site. I interpreted this as a docile species. My thinking was that since it was wild caught he should have a better chance. Now I want to know some of your experiences.

i.m.o., no not really. besides "armour", rasping (not really that effective as a weapon), and getting in a good spike with one of the pectoral fins the L66 is pretty much at the mercy of the cichlids. how does the fact that its wild caught aid it in surviving attacks from other fish ? maybe better to cope with some diseases and parasites but not other fish. I would imagine it to be the opposite, wild fish have a lot more room to live in/find places to hide/flee to.

you should really add your location to your profile: http://www.forum.planetcatfish.com/rules.php

I wouldn't worry unless the pleco is being injured or seriously harassed, but add 3 or 4 caves so everybody can have their choice. Plecos tend to get their own back at night, when they can try to snack on cichlid eggs; in which case a bit of chasing by the parents is probably a good thing.

Thanks, there really has not been any attacks by any of the fish, knock on wood. I was just wondering because I noticed that the Firemouths seem to be taking up a spawning site near the L066.