Question about new Pleco

[Severus]

I just bought a new pleco today.:19: He is just a common about 4" (yes i know he gets huge. I have plans for that.lol) Anyway- when he is hanging on the glass sucking and just chillin his dorsal fin is always down. I think this is normal? i just want to make sure my little guy is healthy. I would consider myself a newbie when it comes to plecos so i might be asking a few questions. Thanks for any help. Also if anyone has any other helpful input about feeding, care, etc feel free to let me know.

[blue fin]

My common pleco is the same, dorsal fin seems to be relaxed almost all the time except when he is skirting away.. very skiddish fish.

[Severus]

Thanks. i figured it was relatively normal, i just wanted to make sure.

[blue fin]

I've only had mine for a couple of weeks but that character seems the same. beyond that I couldn't tell you if it's normal.

[Lady Hobbs]

At least you can find yours. I haven't seen either of mine in more than 36 hours.

[Severus]

Haha i was looking at him in the dark. well almost dark, he was on the side of my tank

[kimmers318]

Treat your plecos to some fresh vegs Hobbs and you can be pretty assured that you will see them eventually. You may have to try to catch them after the light goes out, but I would bet $$$ they won't be able to resist some zucchini!

[Severus]

I want to try some zucchini with my guy. Do they like leafy greens like lettuce or kale?

[jeffs99dime]

I want to try some zucchini with my guy. Do they like leafy greens like lettuce or kale?

yes. yes. and yes!--they do have a deep affection for lettuce.

[Severus]

Thanks jeff. I need to buy some stuff from the food store today. try and give him a nice balanced diet.

[jeffs99dime]

most plecs will eat most greens, even soft peas. i use a veggie clip when i feed veggies.

[Severus]

Unfortunately i dont have a veggie clip. Maybe ill try to get one in the next few days. I cant wait to start feeding him some vegetables

[jeffs99dime]

Unfortunately i dont have a veggie clip. Maybe ill try to get one in the next few days. I cant wait to start feeding him some vegetables

petsmart and petco both carry them. most of the lfs carry them too. i don't classify petsmart, petco, walmart as lfs because they are corporations. evil corporations at that

[Severus]

haha yea. I try and support actual Fish Stores more than the big chain stores

[jeffs99dime]

me too. i argued last night with the petsmart employee that bala sharks do not go in a 30 gallon tank and that they don't get to be 10 inches max! that's what the signs would have unsuspecting customers believe it to be so.

[kimmers318]

If you can't get ahold of a veg clip a spoon works well also...puncture it with the handle and drop it in....the rounded end of spoon will keep it in place for quite awhile.

[blue fin]

Hey 100gw... I think my pleco drops his dorsal fin to try to camouflage himself against other rocks... he's flatter and doesn't look like a fish sticking to a rock so much when he drops it...

[Severus]

Hey 100gw... I think my pleco drops his dorsal fin to try to camouflage himself against other rocks... he's flatter and doesn't look like a fish sticking to a rock so much when he drops it...

Good point bluefin. Kimmers- thanks a lot for that spoon tip. I am actually gonna go do that right now. Maybe he can munch on some greens overnight. Everything should be ok if i leave the sppon in overnight? <-- kind of a stupid question.lol

[Severus]

Well i put a piece of cucumber on a spoon. And dropped in one hikari algae wafer. Hopefully he gets enough to eat tonight