Just how big do plecos get?

[Raetak]

Okay so I have heard for the most part that they will not get any bigger than 10-12 inches, however I was cast-netting at a state park for BAIT fish and on my first cast I caught FOUR, FOUR HUGE PLECOS I'M TALKING BIG LIKE 18 INCHES AT LEAST!!! And I know that they are yet another exotic fish in Florida waters, so I happily removed a small 6 inch one I caught later on for the river. :] But how big do these fish get? And do they qualify as Monsters?

AND one last thing when I picked the biggest on up by grabbing it's tail it started making a (for a fish) loud noise, like a clicking or clacking.

 

[kdrun76]

Depends on the species. 20-24 inches is not uncommon.

 

[Raetak]

DANG... Well, I'm pretty sure these were sail fins I have one and I'll take pics of him to confirm.

 

[spwd]

I think adonis can get bigger than that,im sure ive seen pics somewhere and i dont know what kind it was but our lfs had a huuuge one in there big display tank and that was well over two feet.


Steve

 

[Raetak]

So some species are indeed ]V[onsters?

 

[spwd]

Sure are.


Steve

 

[knifegill]

Adonis or hystrix, they both get big.

 

[manlyfish]

dude that second pic looks so weird like the size of the head and body compared to the tail and look at those spikes !

 

[knifegill]

It's likely wasting away. Probably headed for a hospital tank.

 

[spwd]

Cool monsters,i wish i could have one but i like my bichirs too much.


Steve