Pleco rescue- what is he?

[HeyNow]

I picked up an 18" pleco last night. Saw him advertised on CL for free. The owner had purchased a different fish and the pleco was thrown in on the deal and he had no place to house him. He was living in a Rubbermaid tub w/o filtration or heat (not that heat is needed with the weather we are having in the Northeast this week...)

Anyway- I picked him up last night. He is truly 18"...I have him in my 224g w the RTCs and RTCxTSN hybrids.

I would like to know what kind of pleco he is. I am going to keep him unless feeding becomes a problem- and by problem I mean the RTCs/Hybrids eat everything I put in before the Pleco gets a chance to take a bite.

Right now I have a big piece of zucchini in there for him.

Here are some pics

This was when he was in the cooler last night when we brought him home
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa79/lscozzare/img00336-20100707-2315_0001.jpg

In the tank this morning (I just couldn't QT him as I do not have a tank big enough for him for that purpose- he had to go straight into 224g)

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa79/lscozzare/dsc_0256-1.jpg

One of the RTCs checking him out

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa79/lscozzare/dsc_0259_0001-1.jpg

Side shot
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa79/lscozzare/dsc_0255_0001-1.jpg

[toddnbecka]

Just another common pleco, too big to eat algae now.

[HeyNow]

Cool- so the zucchini should be ok for him...I am just concerned about feeding as the RTCs/hybrids eat everything put into the tank w/in seconds, so I want him to get a chance to eat. So far the zucchini has remained untouched, I have to go check on him in a little bit.

[toddnbecka]

If the pleco hasn't been fed zucchini previously it will probably take some time to realize it's food. Large ones usually eat a meatier diet, but the RTC's will be heavy competition.

[HeyNow]

That is my fear...I have plenty of meaty foods for him in the form of pellets, frozen, and even live- but the RTCs are bottomless pits and eat everything that goes into the tank.

I will have to monitor the situation closely to make sure he is getting some food.

[sailor]

Once he is more comfortable with his surroundings try spot feeding him the pellets or selected food with tongs.

[HeyNow]

How old do you think he is? I have two younger (much smaller) Sail-fin Gibbiceps plecs in my 125. How long does it take them to reach 18"

[Pleco380]

It takes years.

[Gisela]

I have a 12 inch. Pleco like yours which is just a little over a year old. Got him as a little 2 inch Baby. He is moving now from a 55 gallon to a 125 gallon. I guess he will grow than much faster again. He gets every day fresh zucchini or yellow sqash plus romain lettuce. He also likes Hikari Carnivore tablets and the usual Algae chips.

[Northernguy]

Mine pigs out on cucumber still and its pushing 11".
Nice looking fish.I like the shot of the cat over the pleco!thumbs2:

[Crispy]

Nice big common. Mine is 15". Mine started eating fruits/veggies after I gave him some melon.

[HeyNow]

Update- he is doing well so far. Still wont eat veggies. An employee at a LFS suggested trying vacation feeders. I haven't actually seen him eat it, but he is still alive, and doesn't look like he is starving at all. He doesn't have a sunken belly, and he looks healthy,

My guess is that he eats when I am not looking at him, he is kinda shy and easily spooked.

[toddnbecka]

Most pleco's that size typically eat pellets, and don't even bother with algae any longer.