I too made the mistake of getting my pleco while my tank was maturing. I fed him algae pellets but I think it was a case of too little too late. I feel really bad. He was a gold nugget pleco. My first casualty. How long should you wait before introducing a pleco? I would like to get another. Deefish is Deead.
It's best to buy a plec only after the tank has finished cycling. To be safe, wait for 2 months after tank has cycled. Plecs aren't that hardy at all. :nicefish:
Thanks Blue. I think that I should have picked a smaller pleco as I have only a 20 gal tank now. I saw someone on the forum stated that a "candy" plec would be good for that size. I will certainly wait but perhaps you would recommend a different variety than a gold nuggett. I didn't know that they grew to 18 inches! Deefish
I do not agree to that, plecos can be kept in a tank once your water quality is good, I have 3 plecos in my tank and the filter is only 1-1 1/12 months old, and my water is excellent.
So post your water parameters up here and ill tell you weather your pleco safe. For a 20 gal you have many options available, and pleco that does not get over 4'' will be happy in your tank. I could give you a few like: L002, L204, L168, L144, BN. All these fish plus many more would make a nice hope out of your 20 gal.
Thanks Blue. I think that I should have picked a smaller pleco as I have only a 20 gal tank now. I saw someone on the forum stated that a "candy" plec would be good for that size. I will certainly wait but perhaps you would recommend a different variety than a gold nuggett. I didn't know that they grew to 18 inches! Deefish
It all depends, there are different types of GN (L-18, L-81, L-177). The L-81 is supposed to only get about 7.1" according to PlanetCatfish. If I remember correctly, the one with the smaller spots are sensitive to tank conditions, so they should be added in a mature tank. Don't ask me which one is which, since I have a GN and have been told it's an L-18, but looking at some of the pics on PlanetCatfish, it also could be an L-81. I've had mine for about 5 years and it's about 4" now. I bought it when it was about 3" or so.
You have L46 mg: :nicefish: :thankyou: That was IS the most beautiful Pleco EVER. I also love your nugget and L-333! they are awesome congrats on you pleco selection!
Good choice! Never rush stocking your tanks with fish. Do a proper cycle, stock slowly and carefully. Once the tank get established, use a seperate QT tank for new fish. I would hate to see the new fish cause havoc in a nice tank.
I posted the pix in a new thread here, but I guess I should have replied to the link you provided. Oh well, merge them if you mods/admins wish. Or if you want, delete it and I can post it through a reply on that thread.
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