Hi all -
I'm posting here though I wasn't sure which would be the best forum.
I currently have 2 tanks - a tall, 30 Gallon Hex with typical community fish (tetras, barbs, swordtails). I also have a really large (16" - 18") Pleco that I have had for years. He seems healthy enough and has grown to his current size in this tank. But I feel badly for him since the tank is relatively small and the vertical orientation just doesn't leave him a lot of space to move around.
I recently (~1 month ago) started up a 50 Gallon rectangular bow front tank with Africans in it. I have 6 varied fish, all about 1" - 2" long, plus a smallish Pleco and a 2" - 3" Raphael cat. I got really excited to have cichlids again and I think I'm right at the edge of overpopulating the tank - sorry...
Anyway, I am thinking the cichlid tank would be a better home for my favorite big Pleco but I have some concerns. What does everyone think about these worries:
1. How is he likely to adapt to the change in temp and chemistry? The cichlid tank is new so the water is probably not cycled as hard as it will eventually be. but it will be warmer and the chem will be different. I would expect to titrate his water to acclimate him and not shock him.
2. I'm worried about harming or killing him simply by the move process. and I can see having to take a bunch of water out of both tanks to acclimate and move him which will mess with both tanks as well. Thoughts?
3. Is my 50 Gal tank already too overpopulated to add this big guy to it?
4. How will he handle and be handled by the smallish cichlids?
Really appreciate any advice. I love this fish and don't want to hurt him (or his new tank mates). Thanks in advance.
I'm posting here though I wasn't sure which would be the best forum.
I currently have 2 tanks - a tall, 30 Gallon Hex with typical community fish (tetras, barbs, swordtails). I also have a really large (16" - 18") Pleco that I have had for years. He seems healthy enough and has grown to his current size in this tank. But I feel badly for him since the tank is relatively small and the vertical orientation just doesn't leave him a lot of space to move around.
I recently (~1 month ago) started up a 50 Gallon rectangular bow front tank with Africans in it. I have 6 varied fish, all about 1" - 2" long, plus a smallish Pleco and a 2" - 3" Raphael cat. I got really excited to have cichlids again and I think I'm right at the edge of overpopulating the tank - sorry...
Anyway, I am thinking the cichlid tank would be a better home for my favorite big Pleco but I have some concerns. What does everyone think about these worries:
1. How is he likely to adapt to the change in temp and chemistry? The cichlid tank is new so the water is probably not cycled as hard as it will eventually be. but it will be warmer and the chem will be different. I would expect to titrate his water to acclimate him and not shock him.
2. I'm worried about harming or killing him simply by the move process. and I can see having to take a bunch of water out of both tanks to acclimate and move him which will mess with both tanks as well. Thoughts?
3. Is my 50 Gal tank already too overpopulated to add this big guy to it?
4. How will he handle and be handled by the smallish cichlids?
Really appreciate any advice. I love this fish and don't want to hurt him (or his new tank mates). Thanks in advance.