Pleco aggression

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A

aeri

Candiru
MFK Member
Sep 11, 2007
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Toronto
I've come across an unusual situation...I have an 8" pleco (not too sure which kind), that's always been housed peacefully with a 20" silver, and 13" and 7" clown knife. But I've recently put in another 12" RTC and now the pleco seems to be attacking everyone in the tank day and night.

There's more than enough hiding space in the tank...should I separate him?
 
Best to take one of the catfish out.

The plecos are usually peacefull to other fish, but they can get territorial toward other big plecos or fish that look similar (like a RTC).

If you remove the RTC the pleco will probably go back to ignoring the other fish.

It is possible they will get used to each other and live in peace after a while, but it's also possible one will get killed before that happens :irked:

Cheers

Ian
 
I was amazed the first time I ran into this...I mean...plecos for god's sake...they just cruse around the bottom and eat left overs right?...

Same situation...a large 10" pleco (common) and a RTC about the same size. I had to seperate them to calm everything down. The pleco was going after everyone in the tank.
 
I've found they can get quite aggressive as they age. I had to remove my 11 inch common pleco from my Oscar tank as he would beat up every one at night and got very territorial over his cave to the point I watched him attack catch and eat one of my small female cons as she swam by. By nature most are carnivores and as they age they start to show their true colours.
 
My most quiet fish is my 17" TSN until I put my 10" Pleco in while I was cycling the 55gal for the pleco. I couldn't believe the TSN Fighting with the Pleco but the Pleco was instigating. Now I have the Pleco with a Water Cow and a Channel Cat and the Pleco is in his own world could care less about the other 2. I do have to say nothing intimidates the Pleco he will go wherever he wants when he wants it's funny when all three go into the same hidey hole all squished together, the channel is the meekest in the tank.
 
I'm with Davo, i introduced a new male to a 30g tank awhile back, instantly they began fighting the new male and old male. I took a quick vid before removing one of the males:




As can see they can be aggresive species just don't see it that often.
 
Ah...thanks for the advice. I've had plecos for so long and never knew they were aggressive.

I've moved the pleco to a slightly smaller tank, that has an albino pleco similar size. They seem ok with each other...so far.
 
I am also with davo.....take the pleoc out. It could lead to serious trouble.
 
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