RivendellTS

After doing some online searching I have discovered that the algae eater than came with my tank is a Plecos. I also read that they can get up to TWO FEET!!! I imagine at that size (even at half that size) it could eat all of my other fish for breakfast....with ketchup. It's only maybe 4 inches long at the moment. My tank is 55 gallons. Is it really going to get that big? I'm thinking maybe I should be looking for another home for it down the road.

Shawnie

if its a common pleco, yes it can get that big....and as well, they produce a ton of waste even when small fellers! so extra water changes are needed even if you think his size of ok for your tank.....you can maybe exchange him for a smaller type of plec like a bristlenose ...

jprime84

The bristlenose and clown plecos grow to about 4 inches, and are great additions to small tanks. I have found that they dont really eat that much algae compared to a true Siamese Algae Eater

RivendellTS

I'm not sure what variety it is. There is a not so great picture of him/her under my 55 gallon tank post from Monday. (I can't remember how I uploaded that photo or I'd post it again here.) It is dark grey with black spots...if that helps.

Shawnie

How Do I: Attach Pictures to my post heres a link on how to post pics to threads and such....but I did look at the 55g pics and he does look like a common ...so you will have to rehome him eventually

RivendellTS

OK I just went and looked at some photos...It is deffinately not a bristlenose or a clown plecos...it looks most like the photo that went with the common plecos. I have some siamese algae eaters I am going to be transfering eventually from my daughter's 10G tank (although they don't seem to be as thorough as the plecos) so I don't know if I would need to replace it. I wonder if my LFS would take it?

gremlin

If it truly is a common, yes they can get huge. I got two 1/2 inch long plecos 2 summers ago. They are now 10 1/2 and 11 inches long. They spend the summers in my pond, and I bring them in for the winter to keep them warm. Does your little guy look like these guys?

The first two pics are when I brought them in this year, the third pic is their "baby" pic when I bought them June of 2008, and the fourth pic is of the pleco I had the year before that I gave to my friend for her school tank (she teaches 4th grade).

Attached Images

	DSCN3248.JPG (218.7 KB, 40 views)
	DSCN3253.JPG (225.0 KB, 36 views)
	06-18-08 two new plecos for pond.JPG (144.1 KB, 36 views)
	09-24-07 pleco's new home at school.JPG (168.3 KB, 36 views)

RivendellTS

Yup...that's exactly what it looks like.