Any thoughts on this pleco combo?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

Jamo3030

Candiru
MFK Member
Dec 11, 2010
231
11
48
Mid Atlantic
I have two plecos, a common and a gibbiceps, both around 8-10". I have recently combined them into one tank and they pay quite a bit of attention to each other. I think it may be fighting or possibly some kind of breeding behavior. Are these guys not as compatible as I thought? Can pleco's of different varieties breed? photo(3).JPGphoto(4).JPG

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Firstly, what size tank do you have?
Both plec come from the family*Pterygoplichthys and have potential to be huge (over 2' each) and although they could hybridize it doesn't happen in the home aquarium.
The common looks to be*Pterygoplichthys pardalis L021
and the Gibby is*pterygoplichthys gibbiceps L083
To house these guys happily together for life one would need at least a 8' tank IMHO
 
Ahh the tank police, ever vigilant on MFK. They are not in gigantic tank and wont be until they need to be but I steadily upgrade my tanks as needed and I know I will. Right now they have plenty of space in a 75. My final plan for them is a pond in my greenhouse along with a couple other things that will need some size and are viewable from above. Thank you for the clarification on the possibility of hybridization. I wasn't expecting much of anything like that but they do take quite an interest in each other. I used to really not care too much about them but as they get bigger they are starting to become pretty cool.
 
don't have to worry about breeding in a tank...Yeah, they can be a little territorial, esp if you don't have 2-3 dark holes for them to hide in.

and no, they don't need an 8 foot tank to be happy for life. They are not all that active.
 
Yeah, they will still probably end up in the greenhouse pond with a turtle they have lived with for a long time. If for no other reason than that I have other plans for my tanks. Glad to hear that they wont breed, I really dont want tons of plecos, or a protective pair of good sized, armor plated fish.
 
shenzhenluohan said:
Firstly, what size tank do you have?Both plec come from the family*Pterygoplichthys and have potential to be huge (over 2' each) and although they could hybridize it doesn't happen in the home aquarium.The common looks to be*Pterygoplichthys pardalis L021http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1622and the Gibby is*pterygoplichthys gibbiceps L083To house these guys happily together for life one would need at least a 8' tank IMHO
Click to expand...
I agree with all of this. And he wasn't being rude or being the "Tank Police" he just asked a tank size and gave you advise to properly care for your fish.
 
shenzhenluohan said:
Firstly, what size tank do you have?
Both plec come from the family*Pterygoplichthys and have potential to be huge (over 2' each) and although they could hybridize it doesn't happen in the home aquarium.
The common looks to be*Pterygoplichthys pardalis L021
and the Gibby is*pterygoplichthys gibbiceps L083
To house these guys happily together for life one would need at least a 8' tank IMHO
Click to expand...
How often do you think pleco's move?
 
Lol, no worries. Usually when you put various species of plecos in the tank, there will be signs of hostility towards each other. As long as you have hiding spaces for them, they should be fine.
 
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