COBettaCouple

he'd had them almost 2 years and they were only about 4". Common plecos shouldn't be that small at that age so they must have been stunted in their growth by the tank. It is a 30 gallon, but it's tall so to a common pleco, i don't think it was much better than a 10 gallon tank. I'm not sure if they can grow now or not, but hope so. It's about a half hour drive from our place now and the pond is so big that we'd never see them again. it's almost a small lake really.

armadillo

I still wonder if I could have kept at least one pleco in my 39G. Please dont' say yes now that I've given them back to a fish store to face a very uncertain future. This is my biggest fish-keeping regret. Thinking about it bugs me no end.

COBettaCouple

i know the feeling, but i have to think about how cramped & unhappy they'd be had we kept them. Sometimes, you just have to do the best you can for them and i do wish buying a 55g was required with a common pleco purchase - since they don't tell customers that part at the store.

armadillo

But that's just the thing. Am not even sure they've gone on to have a better life. When I went back to the shop to ask some news, the guy just shrugged and didn't even remember me.

COBettaCouple

yea.. you just have to hope they got a good home.. lots of big tanks out there and your little (well not so little now) guy is probably relaxing happily in one.

armadillo

I really hope you're right.

COBettaCouple

i'm always right! really, how big was he when you turned him in?