How many commons in my 225?

**Scrup** · 06-25-2010, 02:41 AM

I am planning on moving my L001 into my 225, where two common pleco's currently reside, and are showing no problems. The problem is, the L001 is in with my Mbuna, and while he is not getting attacked, I even built a little cave just for him that he loves, he is not getting enough to eat, even though I drop in food at night, they all seem to wake up and beat him to it most of the time. Plus I only ever see him at night, whereas my other 3 plecos are really quite the early birds. I noticed the other night the poor L001 actually has a sunken belly. That is not OK in my book.

So the choices at this point for me are, move him into the 225 with the other 2 commons and keep an eye on them, or rehome him. I will not have a pleco starve on my watch.

**Northernguy** · 06-25-2010, 04:18 AM

Crispy has a good selection of plecos in one tank but they are different species.Give him a PM and see what he says.
Adding one with eating problems will have a tough go being the new guy in the tank..
How different are the water conditions between the new tanks?

**Scrup** · 06-25-2010, 04:28 AM

I would drip acclimate him for sure, since the PH is vastly different (going from about 8-8.5 to 6.5-7). Going to use a 30G rubbermaid bin for it, so he should be plenty comfy until the PH levels out.

The two plecos in the tank rarely go into the left 4 feet of the tank, so I am fairly sure he will have plenty of turf to hang out in while they adjust to him.

I'll shoot crispy a PM, thanks!

**Northernguy** · 06-25-2010, 04:31 AM

They may have that territory staked out already.Those two will travel to check out the new guy.Thats when you will know.
Good luck what ever you do.The acclimation may also hurt if it is very weak from starvation.I don't think it would kill it though.

**Scrup** · 06-25-2010, 04:41 AM

I've been spot feeding around his cave the last few days with homemade algea wafers (ok they ended up being algea blobs..but the fish like them)

**Crispy** · 06-25-2010, 11:03 AM

I've kept 3 large commons in a 130 before. I'd say go for it.. especially if he is not getting enough food. When I do feed my plecos fruit/veggies, I make sure to put in more than one piece and space them out. My big common can be quite the bully when it comes to food. I keep 6 plecos in my 190g (5 dif species).

**sailor** · 06-25-2010, 12:04 PM

If possible change the aquascaping around just before you put your new pleco in. Your other pleco's will concentrate on that and not on the new guy on the block.

**Scrup** · 07-02-2010, 06:25 PM

Ok, had to get hand surgery earlier this week. Any ideas on how to catch a 10" pleco with one hand in a tank with caves that can not be moved?

Pleco trap?

**Scrup** · 07-02-2010, 06:53 PM

After some consideration, i am going to have to use a net. If/when he gets tangled I will cut him out. Nets aren't that expensive after all. The tupperware I usually use with pleco's is way too small for him now sadly.

**Scrup** · 07-02-2010, 08:27 PM

got him. Turns out pleco's do not like to be bumped on the nose with the end of a net, gets him to scurry everytime. After about 20 minuets of coaxing and poking he made a run for it, straight into the huge net I had in the tank.

Who needs two hands? :P