Pleco killing another?

[Cloudk]

Awhile ago one of my adult plecos died. It looked like his skin was sandpapered off or something. I was wondering if anyone has had a pleco kill another? The victim was 12in and the alleged assalter is 14in. The tank is 240gal and plenty of space, fed daily. My only other idea is he got caught in the rocks, wriggled around, damaged himself and died of stress. My only ideas... Any experiences? Thanks.

 

[greenbud]

will a pleco kill another pleco YES

On a side note:

do you have catfish of the large mouth kind in the tank? I found out the hard way that my bullhead cats would kill plecos much the same as your discription.

 

[isellcars]

Yes they will. I had a golden nugget pleco that was about 3" and it was killed by my other pleco. About the same size but no idea which one he is......he is all black with gold stripes. I just bought a Bushynose pleco, also about 3" but he is much faster and as long as he doesn't go under the driftwood the other one leaves him alone.


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[blue phantom]

Sounds like your pleco killed the other by sucking off its slime coat, this happens. The theories I've heard are starvation and territorial disputes.

 

[Cloudk]

will a pleco kill another pleco YES

On a side note:

do you have catfish of the large mouth kind in the tank? I found out the hard way that my bullhead cats would kill plecos much the same as your discription.

Well. They looked different. The one that died, his head was large and square. His pattern was large blotches. The assalter is more slim torpedo shaped. His spots are more like freckles. They were probably sold as "common" plecos. They were definitely different.