growth rate for a royal pleco

[wright4lfe]

bought a royal pleco, about 2.5in. what should i expect after a year or so of growth? how long until fully grown?

 

[LiuHsi]

I like to know this info as well.. I have a royal pleco about the same size.

 

[davo]

long time till fully grown. thats why adults cost £$£$£$

 

[tb_077]

The average agreement is about 1" per year, but they will, of course, grow quicker at a small size.

I did grow an L190 from 6" to about 1' or so in about 1.5 years, so a quicker growth rate can be achieved with the right water conditions and diet.

I think the most important factors are a varied diet with plenty of high quality protein and pristine water conditions... ZERO nitrates. Decent daily water changes has helped my royals get their best color, pattern, and growth.

 

[davo]

I think the most important factors are a varied diet with plenty of high quality protein and pristine water conditions... ZERO nitrates. Decent daily water changes has helped my royals get their best color, pattern, and growth.

that is the most valuable piece of info you'll get. giving them protein/meats will enhance their colour, and in some cases strong pigmented veggies. also depends on your royal and depends on its environment etc

 

[tb_077]

that is the most valuable piece of info you'll get. giving them protein/meats will enhance their colour, and in some cases strong pigmented veggies. also depends on your royal and depends on its environment etc

Just remember that veggies like zuchinni and cucumber are going to be a favorite with plecs, but the're full of water and little to no nutrition. The biggest result with these food will be a tank full of white crap.

Quality foods are more expensive, but definately worth the money in the long run. Just like any other fish, they'll eat and benefit from food that might not be taken right away. Just takes a little time.

 

[milkman407]

I got my royals at about 2" and they have ben eating left over food scraps, algee wafers or w/e and im gona try and get some zukini or w/e to stay on the bottom but i think my outher fish will eat it. they havent grown at all and its ben 4 weeks 0.o i dident know they would grow so slow. i'm thinking of doing an sperate tank for them, so they dont get eaten.

 

[davo]

Just remember that veggies like zuchinni and cucumber are going to be a favorite with plecs, but the're full of water and little to no nutrition. The biggest result with these food will be a tank full of white crap.

Quality foods are more expensive, but definately worth the money in the long run. Just like any other fish, they'll eat and benefit from food that might not be taken right away. Just takes a little time.

but they do need the roughage, and they definately provide that. what do you personally feed then tony. personally i give the most varied diet as possible, all the different veggies and fruits in the kitchen, and different meats, but is there anything you use in particular? just interested in your opinion of quality food

 

[Mr Pleco]

I stick into my cucumbers , algae wafers, pellets, shrimp and for those of you like me that need to know:


Nutritional Analysis
1 medium cucumber
Cucumbers are 96% water by weight!

Calories 39 % Calories from Fat 7.8
Total Fat (g) 0.4 % Calories from Carbohydrates 73.8
Saturated Fat (g) 0.1 % Calories from Protein 18.5
Monounsaturated Fat (g) 0.0 % Refuse 3.0
Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 0.2 Vitamin C (mg) 16
Cholesterol (mg) 0 Vitamin A (i.u.) 647
Carbohydrate (g) 8.3 Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.13
Dietary Fiber (g) 2.4 Vitamin B12 (mcg) 0
Protein (g) 2.1 Thiamin B1 (mg) 0.07
Sodium (mg) 6 Riboflavin B2 (mg) 0.07
Potassium (mg) 433 Folacin (mcg) 39.1
Calcium (mg) 42 Niacin (mg) 0.7
Iron (mg) 0.8 Caffeine (mg) 0.0
Zinc (mg) 0.6 Alcohol (g) 0.0


Daily Values:
% Daily Value (2000 Cal diet) % Daily Value (2500 Cal diet)
Total Fat (g): 0.4 1% 0%
Saturated Fat (g): 0.1 0% 0%
Cholesterol (mg): 0 0% 0%
Sodium (mg): 6 0% 0%
Carbohydrate (g): 8.3 3% 2%
Dietary Fiber (g): 2.4 10% 8%
Protein (g): 2.1 4% 3%


Vitamin A: 13% Vitamin C: 27% Calcium: 4% Iron: 4%

 

[Mr Pleco]

but they do need the roughage, and they definately provide that. what do you personally feed then tony. personally i give the most varied diet as possible, all the different veggies and fruits in the kitchen, and different meats, but is there anything you use in particular? just interested in your opinion of quality food

soliciting opinions, maybe another thread topic..What one food do you believe gives your Royal max nutrition and accelerated growth rates..assuming water quality is good?