Royal plec in 29g tank?
- Thread starter luggy978
- Start date
Links aren't working for me. Really want to see this guy! My Royal is one of my favorite fish, but he creates a huge freaking mess with all the driftwood he chews up.
Most likely from being kept in too small a tank, IMO...
June 2012, 6cm:
July 2013, 20cm:
That was in a 400L tank with a 140x65cm footprint, at 20cm+ the growth has slowed down a little despite being in a much bigger tank, but it has easily put on another 6-8cm in the past 12 months.
I doubt any large Panaque will physically outgrow a small tank in the way an arowana or even a common plec would, but I believe smaller tanks will have detrimental effects on the long-term growth and ultimate size of the fish. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but I would put money on it that your little L190 won't grow 5" in 13 months while kept in a 29g tank, despite it looking like he has plenty of space.
BTW, the Panaque in the pics above wasn't a freak, I had three others of similar size who also put on about 4" in 12 months, and have continued to grow at a similar rate in the 2000L tank. If your juvenile royal is only growing at 1-2" per year you're doing something wrong, IMO.
That said, it's a nice looking little fish you've got there, just appreciate that it should grow into a monster, and they do make a hell of a mess when they get bigger. As for the shyness, I made the switch to only feeding mine during the day about 12 months ago and I see them a lot more often now. Granted I do have 14 plecs in the tank and a heap of other bottom feeders so I can feed heavily, but once it has settled in and is eating try offering food in the morning before the tank lights are turned on to try encourage it out.
Thanks David R. Only just seen your reply. Had a look at your panaques. And your tank build. Awesome is all I can say 
My little guy seems to have a grown a little in the time I've had him but fully agree with you about getting bigger with more space. Hopefully have my 75 up and running for Christmas and just might treat myself to another panaque!! Then I'll be wanting a 125!!! Do you feed yours on anything special?
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
My little guy seems to have a grown a little in the time I've had him but fully agree with you about getting bigger with more space. Hopefully have my 75 up and running for Christmas and just might treat myself to another panaque!! Then I'll be wanting a 125!!! Do you feed yours on anything special?Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I feed mostly NLS pellets (mega fish formula, H2O stable wafers, plus they graze on the Thera A and cichlid formula I feed the other fish) with veges (sweet potato or zucchini) once every 1-2 weeks. I'd probably feed veges more often but they'll chew thru a couple of small-medium sized sweet potato in a night easily, the tank is FULL of orange poo and sawdust the following morning so I limit the veges to the night before a big water change.
Wow. A couple of sweet potatoes!! That's a whole lotta mess my royal doesn't seem interested in veggies at the moment. Have you any idea why this could be? I've tried this week with numerous fruit and veg but he only seems to eat cucumber. And when he does, it's not very much. I'm going to order some of the nls range this weekend on your recommendation.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
my royal doesn't seem interested in veggies at the moment. Have you any idea why this could be? I've tried this week with numerous fruit and veg but he only seems to eat cucumber. And when he does, it's not very much. I'm going to order some of the nls range this weekend on your recommendation. Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Keep putting veggies out for him once or twice a week. It takes time for plec's to realize cut veggies are food.
