How fast does a "common" pleco grow? - Aquarium Advice

FMJnaX · 06-12-2005, 04:26 PM

Ok, so last night I was at the [acronym:25aac049d8="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:25aac049d8] asking if they had any pleco's aside from commons. He said they didn't, but he could order me one (a 1 1/2" bristlenose for $24). He then said to me that I should be fine with a small (1 - 1 1/2") common pleco since it will take 10 years to get to full size, or 5+ years to get to a size too large for my 29 gallon. I silently called his B.S. on that one and didn't buy one. I tried to do some research, but haven't come up with anything. Probably because the "common" pleco isn't always a strictly defined species.

Anyway, I plan on upsizing to a larger aquarium within the next year or two so in the back of my mind, I've been thinking maybe I'll go and get a small 1" pleco. If I do end up betraying the advise typically given on AA and decide to get one, will I be alright for the year or two until I get the larger tank? Basically, how fast does the typical "common" pleco grow?

Thanks all!

krap101 · 06-12-2005, 04:58 PM

hmm. it usually depends on the tank size and food. im not totally sure but under good conditions maybe like 1/4 or 1/2 an inch a month?

j_randall1702 · 06-12-2005, 05:01 PM

They grow fairly quickly, I had mine since April and at that time he was 3 1/2in, now he is just about 4 1/2 maybe alittle bigger. He is growing faster than my oscars

Meredith · 06-12-2005, 05:15 PM

My pleco went from about an inch, inch and a half, to 7 inches in a year. After about 9 months in a ten gallon tank it was hard for him to swim around and he was constantly ripping out plants. When I moved him over to the 55, he just kept growing, and I had to give him up.

I really miss that "little" guy.

FMJnaX · 06-12-2005, 05:28 PM

Hmmmmm, since I made the post, I found a few sites that made mention of the same type of growth rate. I think I'm just going to hold off a bit longer and see if my [acronym:bd90587ff4="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:bd90587ff4] can order me a small bristlenose, clown, pitbull, or queen arabesque. That will give me time to make a good driftwood choice as well.

Anyone else have any growth stories though? I'd still like to get more information. I will probably be getting a common still with my larger tank.

Andos99 · 06-12-2005, 05:35 PM

My common hasn't grown at quite that rate. I've had him about 6 months and in that time he's only grown about 1 inch. I feed him fresh veggies about 5 times a week and I take great care with my water quality. I've been pleased so far with him.....great fish.

06-12-2005, 06:52 PM

Ive had mine for 3 months and he is already twice the size he was when i bought him, and i bought him really small.

06-12-2005, 08:20 PM

I had a royal for over a year and he grew from 2" to just under 4", so they don't grow that quickly. However, look on Aquabid for plecos for better deals, I got 5 albino bristlenoses for $29.00 total including shipping.

BillD · 06-12-2005, 10:03 PM

If you feed them properly, they grow very fast. As far as I'm concerned they have no place in the average or even very large aquarium, since they will exceed 24", and they are messy.

krazymom · 06-13-2005, 11:42 AM

Is the common pleco the dark one that is sort of spotted? I think that is what I have, maybe I should look for something different? He will get over 2 feet?

?

06-12-2005, 04:26 PM	#1
FMJnaX Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 538 Images: 2	How fast does a "common" pleco grow? Ok, so last night I was at the [acronym:25aac049d8="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:25aac049d8] asking if they had any pleco's aside from commons. He said they didn't, but he could order me one (a 1 1/2" bristlenose for $24). He then said to me that I should be fine with a small (1 - 1 1/2") common pleco since it will take 10 years to get to full size, or 5+ years to get to a size too large for my 29 gallon. I silently called his B.S. on that one and didn't buy one. I tried to do some research, but haven't come up with anything. Probably because the "common" pleco isn't always a strictly defined species. Anyway, I plan on upsizing to a larger aquarium within the next year or two so in the back of my mind, I've been thinking maybe I'll go and get a small 1" pleco. If I do end up betraying the advise typically given on AA and decide to get one, will I be alright for the year or two until I get the larger tank? Basically, how fast does the typical "common" pleco grow? Thanks all! __________________ 75 Gallon High-Tech Planted Community 3.5 WPG using T8's Fluorite w/sand mix Rena Filstar XP2 Pressurized CO2 w/SMS122 29 Gallon Goldfish 4" Red/White Ryunkin 4" Orange Fantail Penguin 100 AquaClear 20

06-12-2005, 04:58 PM	#2
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	hmm. it usually depends on the tank size and food. im not totally sure but under good conditions maybe like 1/4 or 1/2 an inch a month? __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

06-12-2005, 05:01 PM	#3
j_randall1702 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Limestone TN Posts: 87 Images: 1	They grow fairly quickly, I had mine since April and at that time he was 3 1/2in, now he is just about 4 1/2 maybe alittle bigger. He is growing faster than my oscars __________________ 193 [acronym:e158cc8d92="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e158cc8d92], with 200 lbs sand and driftwood setup 2 Tiger oscars 2 Clown loaches 1 pleco 1 pictus cat 75gal- Driftwood setup, with 50lbs gravel 25lbs of sand 2 Bluegill sunfish 6 minnows 29-Driftwood setup 30 lbs of gravel 4 Zebra Danios 3 Neons 2 Swordtails 2 Black Mollies 10 [acronym:e158cc8d92="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:e158cc8d92] Driftwood setup with 10 lbs of gravel 1 Dalmation mollies 1 Rubberlipped pleco 1 Butterfly loach 1 Dwarf gourami 2 Panda Corys

06-12-2005, 05:28 PM	#5
FMJnaX Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 538 Images: 2	Hmmmmm, since I made the post, I found a few sites that made mention of the same type of growth rate. I think I'm just going to hold off a bit longer and see if my [acronym:bd90587ff4="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:bd90587ff4] can order me a small bristlenose, clown, pitbull, or queen arabesque. That will give me time to make a good driftwood choice as well. Anyone else have any growth stories though? I'd still like to get more information. I will probably be getting a common still with my larger tank. __________________ 75 Gallon High-Tech Planted Community 3.5 WPG using T8's Fluorite w/sand mix Rena Filstar XP2 Pressurized CO2 w/SMS122 29 Gallon Goldfish 4" Red/White Ryunkin 4" Orange Fantail Penguin 100 AquaClear 20

06-12-2005, 05:35 PM	#6
Andos99 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 783 Images: 3	My common hasn't grown at quite that rate. I've had him about 6 months and in that time he's only grown about 1 inch. I feed him fresh veggies about 5 times a week and I take great care with my water quality. I've been pleased so far with him.....great fish. __________________ If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to do it over.

06-12-2005, 05:15 PM	#4
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	My pleco went from about an inch, inch and a half, to 7 inches in a year. After about 9 months in a ten gallon tank it was hard for him to swim around and he was constantly ripping out plants. When I moved him over to the 55, he just kept growing, and I had to give him up. I really miss that "little" guy.

06-12-2005, 06:52 PM	#7
Guest Posts: n/a	Ive had mine for 3 months and he is already twice the size he was when i bought him, and i bought him really small.

06-12-2005, 08:20 PM	#8
Guest Posts: n/a	I had a royal for over a year and he grew from 2" to just under 4", so they don't grow that quickly. However, look on Aquabid for plecos for better deals, I got 5 albino bristlenoses for $29.00 total including shipping.

06-12-2005, 10:03 PM	#9
BillD Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Whitby, Ont,Canada Posts: 930	If you feed them properly, they grow very fast. As far as I'm concerned they have no place in the average or even very large aquarium, since they will exceed 24", and they are messy. __________________ Join a fish club. Don't have one in your area? Start one.

06-13-2005, 11:42 AM	#10
krazymom Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 322	Is the common pleco the dark one that is sort of spotted? I think that is what I have, maybe I should look for something different? He will get over 2 feet? ? __________________ Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...... Vote here for Aquarium Advice. 55 [acronym:decb890405="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:decb890405] 2 gold dojo loaches 3 white tetras 4 zebra danios 3 neon tetras 1 pleco 2 ADFs

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