55G Plec Only tank?

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AttackFish

Feeder Fish
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Apr 10, 2007
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Just wondering if it could be done, with alot of different flashy types of plec's for a 55G? I'm thinking maybe a Zebra plec, but dont know any other cool or "pretty" looking plecs that do well in 55G's. Right now as all of my fish died(all 36 of them from different tanks thanks too a large poweroutage) all I have left is my 11'' and 9'' common plec in my 55 and was thinking about adding some different species of plecs to go with them that are neat looking.
Any ideas?
 
If you want to do zebras, you should look to breed, as many breeders won't sell them in small groups. Another problem you will run into is that they are not your standard temp fish, and actually need much warmer temps than most fish, 88dF-92dF is the best range for these guys to stay in the best shape. There are hundreds of great looking plecs that will be fine in a 55, scotcat.com, and planetcatfish will have plenty of good pics to start you out.
 
Yeah, it's completely possible. What type of commons you have... you'll have to make sure they are compatible with chosen fish.
 
I'm not exactly sure what type of commons I have.... I'll try and take some pics and post them here. The 11'' is a bit tattered on his dorsal fin, when he was 9'' he got stuck in a fake log at my grandmothers house and for rescuing him I got to take him home. The 9'' is flawless though and all of his fins are just great looking.
But yeah, The Zebra plecs seem a bit hard to take care of, with the 92F water, and if I bred them I wouldnt keep them with other plecs as I'm sure thy would try and consume the eggs.
Hopefully I can get some pics tonight, gotta find the camera and some batteries first. :nilly:

I dont know if this will help with an ID but.. The 11'' has been that size for about 2 years now, when I got him he was 9'' and from what I've noticed he hasnt grown since getting to this size. But the 9'' has started growing slowly, its possible the 9'' culd be stunted because I got it from a 20 gallon that had no heater and a bunch of goldfish in it. I really need to try and take some pics though!
 
Well, may camera has moisture damage! Yippeeee!

But, I'm thinking of putting a bristlenose, 6x Oto's, Maybe a rubberlip? I'm not really sure.
I really like Bristlenose, and they have good coloring. What about a Bulldog, or a Green phantom? I'm thinking about giving both of the commons to my sisters mother in law as she has 4xponds with the smallest being a 200 gallon and the largest a 9' circle. That way I'd have more room for different plecs, and the commons would be happy.

I might also be getting a 75G and was thinking of doing a plec only tank in it instead of the 55G because my mom would like to try some angel fish in the 55G(she bought the tank, so I'm pretty sure I'll end up putting 5x angels in there with the two commons)

But, if you were to do a 75G and put only plecs on it, what would you put? Please dont say zebras... I dont have $400 dollars to spend on one fish...
 
all of what you mentioned would work, just have to make sure there are enough hiding places and territory for all the plecos.

If I had the space, i'd go with breeding group of something... There are so many plecos, you have a lot of choice. Go with what you like.
 
Absolutely possible. If you are going to keep Zebra Pleacos (L-46) it is best to keep a colony by themselves. They do not compete for food very well. I have a group of 7 in a 55 and they look great.
 
I'm going to look on scotcat and planetcatfish and see what species I like the most and I'll ask about them here. I just got $150 dollars so I could buy a 75G from craigslist, possibly a larger tank, I'm going to go search for tanks then search down some plecs! Thanks guys, you've been really helpfull so far.
I'll report back with my chosen plec species once I'm done.
 
Species I like:
L200
L160
L004
L014
L015
L209
L211
L017
L018
L025
L207
L030
L048
L047
L052

And many, many more. Its just so hard to choose what to go with! Do I do a group if mixed plecs? Or a breeding group? I CANT DECIDE! opinions?
 
Personally I'd enjoy a breeding group more... some species on the list might be harder to get too, but... some also haven't been bred before and you might want to start with something else if you go down that road.
 
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