I'd like to discuss big plecos. When I say big, I mean 10"+...
I've got a Pleco of around 13" that's to the point that he has a hard time turning around in my 55 gal tank. He is longer as the tank is wide and has to rub his nose against the front/back glass and "wiggle" to get turned around unless he "looks up" to take advantage of the depth...
His poo is overwhelming... He is really hard on the plants, just by virtue of his size. He uproots everything that's not bordered by large rocks. He can't reach into normal nooks and crannys for feeding anymore. He requires a rather large shelter from the light, since he's nocturnal, which coupled with all the plant "shields" severely restricts my planting opportunities. As a result of the nocturnal habits, we very seldom get to enjoy his better traits. I need to move in the spring and the thought of transferring him from the 55 into a transport container is weighing on me even now. I'll need a game net to hold him or a friend to help me up-end the mostly empty tank into a cooler for his ride to the new house. He is beautiful and healthy, but I'm considering the possibility of finding him a new home. He's older than my kids and dogs! I've had him for more than 8 years...long enough that I can't remember exactly how long we've had him...
The new house will not be able to support a third, larger-yet tank. The 70 bowfront isn't much wider than the 55 (mostly, it's deeper)
Thoughts? Options? Sympathy?
No pics, sorry...
I've got a Pleco of around 13" that's to the point that he has a hard time turning around in my 55 gal tank. He is longer as the tank is wide and has to rub his nose against the front/back glass and "wiggle" to get turned around unless he "looks up" to take advantage of the depth...
His poo is overwhelming... He is really hard on the plants, just by virtue of his size. He uproots everything that's not bordered by large rocks. He can't reach into normal nooks and crannys for feeding anymore. He requires a rather large shelter from the light, since he's nocturnal, which coupled with all the plant "shields" severely restricts my planting opportunities. As a result of the nocturnal habits, we very seldom get to enjoy his better traits. I need to move in the spring and the thought of transferring him from the 55 into a transport container is weighing on me even now. I'll need a game net to hold him or a friend to help me up-end the mostly empty tank into a cooler for his ride to the new house. He is beautiful and healthy, but I'm considering the possibility of finding him a new home. He's older than my kids and dogs! I've had him for more than 8 years...long enough that I can't remember exactly how long we've had him...
The new house will not be able to support a third, larger-yet tank. The 70 bowfront isn't much wider than the 55 (mostly, it's deeper)
Thoughts? Options? Sympathy?
No pics, sorry...