Chocolate Pleco in Pond

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Pondergirl

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 10, 2011
19
0
0
Kansas
I "rescued" a Chocolate Albino Pleco last night from a local pet store. I originally went in to get pond supplies and noticed him in a small 10 gallon tank in the store. The fish is about 14-15 inches long and very thin. Made me sick to see it like that. So, he came home with me.

We have a 2500 gallon pond with Shubunkin and lots of live plants. I put the pleco in the pond last night and as of today he is doing really well. Seems to be getting along good with the other fish and not bothering them. So for now he can stay.

He is eating algae like crazy along with other "stuff" in the pond. Had no idea how fast plecos could swim when they have room to cut loose. He has even come to the surface the past 2 evenings and splashes about.

I have a large stock tank to house him in over the winter, I think the tank is 150 gallons. Will that be large enough for him and a few plants? The rest of the fish and plants stay outside year round.

Also, I have read on this form they like fruits, veggies and protien. How much should a fish his size eat of this stuff in addition to everything he will get in the pond?

I am not an aquarium expert, we have always just had the pond, so go easy on me with criticism LOL. Just trying to right by a fish. Thanks!
 
Nice save!
It should be fine in a 150 over winter. I feed my plecos algae wafers, zucchini, and lettuce and they are nice and fat. Other than that they just feed on whatever other foods I put in for my other fish.
 
make sure to get pics! i would bring him inside just for his safety. it may be kind of cramped but you definitely dont want him dying from the cold either. sorry i cant help with the food issue though=/ i dont know much about them but good luck! im sure some person that is much more experienced than i will chime in soon :)
 
I read something about driftwood and certain plecos. I can get him some tomorrow. Why does he need it and how big of a piece should I get?
 
The lignin in the wood aids them in digestion and if they don't get any they can develop digestion problems and slowly die. From what i've read, that species only needs a little bit and doesn't eat it as fast as some of the other species. He's pretty big though and they love to have hiding places, so personally i'd get a piece big enough for him to lay across and hide under if possible.
 
Okay, I will get him some driftwood today. He has plenty of places to hide though in the pond. For now, we have noticed him doing more eating and swimming around than hiding. I am assuming it can be any type of driftwood for digestion? We have a rock company close by that also sells large, decorative pieces of driftwood I could drop in the pond. Thanks again and if you think of anything else I need to do for him let me know.
 
Thanks! I will try to get some pictures of him. It is a little more challenging since he is in 2500 gallons and not an aquarium. :)
 
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