What kind of pleco is this?

[Master_core]

I picked up this pleco 2 weeks ago. However there was not a detailed name at the store, it just said pleco. Im guessing it's just a common pleco but I'm not sure. Anyone know for sure what kind it is?

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[Viper]

Yep, looks like a common to me

 

[Master_core]

I had a feeling but I wanted to be 100 % sure. Thanks viper

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[Viper]

No problem, here's a picture of mine with evil eyes

It looks like they have the same markings

 

[Homedog98]

How big is the tank?

 

[mandy2936]

How big is the tank?

I second that question. Not suspecting that yours isn't (as we don't know yet), but just a warning: Common Plecos have a rather large bioload and get huuuuuuge. Most reach a foot, and some are even capable of reaching two feet. Please just be sure that your tank is going to be big enough for this fish at its adult size.

 

[Homedog98]

300 gallon minimum for those guys... Which can be in pond or tank form.

 

[Master_core]

Cool. yeah it looks pretty similar. I have a 45 gal. Prob not big enough for the pleco later on.

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[Tim Wheatley]

Looks like a common to me, too. I do disagree on the 300 gallon minimum mentioned, however. The tank size needs to be 55 minimum with no other fish present in my opinon. The primary concern with ANY tank size (over 55, obviously) is your ability to clean up after the fish (these are not cleanup fish, you'll spend as much time cleaning their poop as you would have cleaning any algae they might eat, for example).

 

[Homedog98]

They grow REALLY fast. I'd take him back and get either a rubberlip or bristlenose pleco. They're only 6 inches full grown.

 

[Tim Wheatley]

They grow REALLY fast. I'd take him back and get either a rubberlip or bristlenose pleco. They're only 6 inches full grown.

Agreed, for 99.9% of people this is the case.

 

[mandy2936]

I too disagree on the minimum 300 gallons, that is a bit much, I'd say for a full grown Common Pleco around 100-150g should be rather sufficient. Anyways, I totally agree the better decision would be trading in that common pleco for a bristlenose. Would you rather have a massive, fast growing, extremely messy 2 foot Common Pleco outgrowing your tank, or a lil' Bristlenose that will max out at 4-6 inches? Lol.

 

[Homedog98]

I too disagree on the minimum 300 gallons, that is a bit much, I'd say for a full grown Common Pleco around 100-150g should be rather sufficient. Anyways, I totally agree the better decision would be trading in that common pleco for a bristlenose. Would you rather have a massive, fast growing, extremely messy 2 foot Common Pleco outgrowing your tank, or a lil' Bristlenose that will max out at 4-6 inches? Lol.

Ya, that's just for a more free-to-stock tank. The pleco takes up a vast majority of your bioload in most normal sized tanks. IMO lol.

 

[Bl80]

This is one of my plecos. He loves pigging out on his algae wafer treats

 

[SteveFishman]

Lies jk I have one in a 46 and it all works out

 

[Tim Wheatley]

Lies jk I have one in a 46 and it all works out

How long have you had it?

It will be stunted, whether you can see it is, or not.

 

[SteveFishman]

Uh 4 years I think ya 3 or 4 years it's about 6 inches

 

[Homedog98]

Ya. Your fish was stunted. Not much you can do about it now though.

 

[SteveFishman]

What that doesn't even make sense it's been in my tank for 4 Years

 

[Tim Wheatley]

Yes, and it stopped growing (which is thought of by most people to be cruel and unhealthy, certainly not in the best interest of the fish) due to the tank size years ago.

If you'd spent your life in a packing crate I'm sure you'd stop growing once you ran out of space, too.