I have a 6" or 7" albino chocolate in my 55g with my cichlids, and at work/LFS someone dropped off a 13" common who I couldn't pass up. So far the two seem fine together, I'm just trying to make sure they're wont be any problems in the future. Any opinions or advice would be appreciated. If its a no go, the new guy will just have to go in the 90g.
two plecos in a 55g ???
- Thread starter mpr163
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Depends which "Common" pleco it is. So many are refered to as being commons. Chocolate pleco's can get big seeing as how they are actually Pterygoplichthys pardalis in there albino form. I think your new comer can temporarily stay in the 55gal but would eventually need to go into the 90gal.
Any pictures of the new guy?
Any pictures of the new guy?
Considering both have the capability to get much larger, IMO you need a bigger tank. IME Pterygoplicthys are very active for a larger plec, so something like 4x2x2 should be the minimum.
Albino and 'chocolate' colour morphs are different. Albinos have red eyes.
GEV83;4573478; said:
Albino and 'chocolate' colour morphs are different. Albinos have red eyes.
A 13 inch pleco in a 55 gallon has reached it's limit in the tank. If it grows anymore it can become deformed. The biggest I've seen an albino chocolate get was 14-15 inches but in theory it could reach 24inches.
would not add the "common" plec ... big fish, lots of waste, too large for the tank, etc., etc. ... to me, the cons outweigh the pros on that one ...
Personally, a 13 inch pleco is too large for a 55 gallon aquarium. I've saw people who have kept them in aquariums of that size, but to live a happy life, it'd be best to place it in your 90 gallon.
matubula;4574464; said:
The albino of P. pardalis is the chocolate pleco commonly sold at LFS and is generally refered to as being albino. Also albino's of the Pterygoplichthys family which are yellow in color with red eyes still showing spots in there tail and dorsal fin are P. gibbiceps. Ive been learning about Ptery's for several yrs now and I know chocolates arent true albino's but they are still refered as albino's I think its due to there lack of any patterns or real color. But you are right chocolates are not true albino's.
GEV83;4576037; said:
When they first starting showing up in the early 90's they were called red eye red plecos.
GEV83;4573478; said:
ok, well since the chocolate is still pretty small he'll probably stay in the 55 and my common (not sure the species, he's black with a white swirly pattern) will go into the 90. problly only going to be another month or two max that i'll have to keep them together. i do have a photo of the common and my chocolate, i'll have to get on the other computer to post it. but thanks guys!