2 large gibbys in a 200?

[cvermeulen]

I already have an 11" sailfin gibby in my 5.5' x 2' x 3' tank, quit ehappily with some other growing tankmates. Now, bio-load considerations aside, would adding another 12"+ sailfin gibby cause pandemonium? The LFS has a tradein there, that's this big fat happy gibbiceps that I've wanted to buy for weeks, but I've held off because I was afraid of territorial issues between them.

Now, the gibby at the LFS has come out of his shell a bit since his trade in, and now enjoys having his fins gently stroked by the manager there. I gotta give this adorable pleco a good home. Will he be OK in that space with the largeish one I already have?


I know plecos can be territorial, but I've also read that gibbys are reasonably tolerant of other plecs, if given enough space. I guess the question is: is 200gal enough space for 2 big ones?

 

[WyldFya]

There will not be many problems, barring extra aggressive gibbies, given enough hiding places for both plecos. Most plecos won't have problems with each other. Generally the problems arise between multiple males, or aggressive species.

 

[Ianab]

Hard to say...

They might get on fine right away.. but thats not very likely.

They probably will skirmish for a while, sort out who is boss (gets to eat first and has the best cave), then live together OK after that.

Or they could fight to the death Not likely, but possible.

I would try it, but be prepared to haul the new one out if things get really nasty.

I have 3 goldspots and a common in my tank, they argue a bit sometimes, but nothing more serious than a ripped fin has come of it.

Cheers

Ian

 

[cvermeulen]

Cool. The large plec that I have now only seems to take real offense at the presence of my oscar. The oscar is constantly being chased out of the caves and such by the plec. The small butterfly plec though doesn't seem to bother the gibby. The newcomer is right now in a tank with some other largeish plecos and syno cats, and everyone seems to get along. I'll pick him up this afternoon and let you guys know how it goes.

 

[cvermeulen]

Well they've been squabbling for about 10 minutes now over the use of the large cave in there. There is plenty of other prime hiding spots in the tank, but this one is the most spacious. No-one is hurt at all yet, just a lot of wrastling. Kind of funny to watch, really!

 

[davo]

there'll be a dominance thing... that one spot is obviously the "best"

 

[cvermeulen]

They seem to have settled it. Here's a couple pics:

 

[davo]

Nice looking tank.

 

[cvermeulen]

Thganks Minus the fat overgrown feeder

 

[Kobeclone]

how long has the feeder been growing in there, and how big is he now compared to when you put him in?