Large Plecos + Big tank Compatibility

[Brhino]

I have a 300 gallon tank (8' x 2' footprint). It currently houses a marble sailfin pleco (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps) which has reached about 12". I had planned for this to be the only pleco in the tank, but a small (~2" currently) fish labelled as a spotted sailfin pleco (probably a Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus, but I'm not positive) at the LFS has caught my eye. The care sheets on these fish note they are territorial and aggressive towards other large plecos. Is my tank large enough that two large plecos could coexist? Or am I better off just sticking with the one?

Thank you.

 

[kno4te]

That should be a fine size for them. They each require about 150g each. So should be ok.


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[Brhino]

Thanks for the input. I've asked around a few places and the feedback I've gotten so far has been mostly negative on the idea, although I don't know if people giving opinions have personal experience or not.

What would the dynamic of introducing a 2" pleco to a 12" pleco be, compared to two large plecos growing up together or both being introduced to a tank as adults together?

 

[AquaticAustin]

I'm not Familiar (never owned ) either of those fish but I have experience with royals. I always read that royals were aggressive towards each other and had this proven true twice. That being said I have a Adonis pleco around 12" which is supposed to be really nasty but lives peacefully with a 13" royal and a 4" bn pleco for a few months.

Summary: crapshoot

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[kiupuriash]

Just give them hiding placed, caves, driftwood etc. Ive housed 6 9""+ plecos label8as aggressive with no issues. Same tsnk i kept small species as well. I just give them lots of hiding.

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[mrtoofay]

1 Pleco is good for a tank. 2 Plecos are almost guaranteed fights all day long for any sized tank. 3 Plecos are better. Anything over 4 of a same sized pleco is a much better idea.

The point is to spread out the aggression and to reassure they don't really develope a territory of their own. Which they will defend to the death. Hiding places helps, but 2 is never a good number. at least 3, 4+ better

 

[Brhino]

thanks for the advice everyone. I've decided to pass on the second pleco. I do like them, but I don't want to have to allocate that much of the tank's capacity to them.