Blue Phantom Pleco some questions

Hello! I am going to buy a blue phantom pleco at a juvenile size of 1.5 inches. I am under the impression that they grow to around 8 inches. It will be in a grow out tank (26 gallons) for a few months until I upgrade. How long can it stay in the 26 gallon tank? Other tank mates will be a pair of black rams.

 

Got a few months i think, probably til 4 or 5 inches at least. I think that should reduce the possibility of stunting it too much.

If you were close to me i know where a 55g is selling with stand for pretty good deal and you wouldn't have to worry lol

 

They can definitely get to 8" as the one I bought the other day is about that! But if my green phantom is any example, they are slow growers so you should have a few months at least.

 

thanks! I am worried about stunting it so I may hold off on it because I underestimated my timeline, I’ll actually be upgrading the tank in a little less than a year when I move, I keep thinking I’m moving sooner but I’m not. So around 8 months, could it become stunted in that time? If so I’ll hold off getting it for sure

 

I bought one a few months back. Hasn’t grown since I got him. Had a green but it has now disappeared. One thing is they’re both plant eaters! Nice looking plecos but I’m not sure I’d recommend them.

See him on the leaves! Ate that whole plant

 

I bought one a few months back. Hasn’t grown since I got him. Had a green but it has now disappeared. One thing is they’re both plant eaters! Nice looking plecos but I’m not sure I’d recommend them. View attachment 875783View attachment 875784See him on the leaves! Ate that whole plantView attachment 875785

He’s very nice! But thanks for the info I’ll see about some other plecos if he’s a big plant eater

 

Depends on sex as to eventual size; i purchased one around 1.5 inch 7 months ago; and i would say it is around 2.5 to 3 inches now and still growing. They start slow (as do most pleco) and the body stays narrow for 9 to 12 months then they will continue to grow and it can take 18 to 24 months to fully fill out. this has been my experience with several other species (bn, l204, l333, ...). anyway as long as your 26 has some bottom area (and is not tall or a cube) it should be fine for 9 to 12 months.

 

Depends on sex as to eventual size; i purchased one around 1.5 inch 7 months ago; and i would say it is around 2.5 to 3 inches now and still growing. They start slow (as do most pleco) and the body stays narrow for 9 to 12 months then they will continue to grow and it can take 18 to 24 months to fully fill out. this has been my experience with several other species (bn, l204, l333, ...). anyway as long as your 26 has some bottom area (and is not tall or a cube) it should be fine for 9 to 12 months.

Great thanks! Yeah my BN female juvenile is growing slowly and she’s in a large tank. My other BN female took around 2 years to reach full size

 

L 397 tiger plecos seem to be around a lot now. Not to expensive about the price of a phantom and only grow to 5”. May be a nice substitute.

 

L 397 tiger plecos seem to be around a lot now. Not to expensive about the price of a phantom and only grow to 5”. May be a nice substitute.

Those look really nice I’ll keep an eye out!

 

L 397 tiger plecos seem to be around a lot now. Not to expensive about the price of a phantom and only grow to 5”. May be a nice substitute.

Where can you get them cheap? I have some but i'm paying around $30 for blue phantom and around $60-65 for L397. If you know a source around $30 fill me in as i want a few more to mix up genetics.
-
btw this is L204
:


-
They are around 5-6 inches; require wood and greens.

 

Where can you get them cheap? I have some but i'm paying around $30 for blue phantom and around $60-65 for L397. If you know a source around $30 fill me in as i want a few more to mix up genetics.
-
btw this is L204:
-
They are around 5-6 inches; require wood and greens.

Beautiful! I’ll have to search around for some different pleco options and see what’s out there. Do you get your plecos locally or do you buy online?

 

Beautiful! I’ll have to search around for some different pleco options and see what’s out there. Do you get your plecos locally or do you buy online?

Depends - before the pandemic i was able to buy flash pleco at petco for around $20; since the pandemic the local petco has gotten a lot worse with regards to fish quality and species provided so I mostly use mail order. I pretty much limit myself to a few shops and individuals as disease/parasite is a real issue. Stores I like include wetspot and tangleupcichlid. The problem with mail order (or at least those stores) is shipping is expensive so i usually wait till there are several fishes i want to purchase and make a large purchase to keep shipping cost under control.

 

Depends - before the pandemic i was able to buy flash pleco at petco for around $20; since the pandemic the local petco has gotten a lot worse with regards to fish quality and species provided so I mostly use mail order. I pretty much limit myself to a few shops and individuals as disease/parasite is a real issue. Stores I like include wetspot and tangleupcichlid. The problem with mail order (or at least those stores) is shipping is expensive so i usually wait till there are several fishes i want to purchase and make a large purchase to keep shipping cost under control.

Where do you like to get fish from online? I’m looking around for some decent online places

 

Where do you like to get fish from online? I’m looking around for some decent online places

I like Freshwater Tropical Fish For Sale Online - The Wet Spot Tropical Fish and Current Stock List | Tangled Up in Cichlids but both charge a lot for shipping. Very few people have bred L204 or L128 so for the most part they have to be purchased from a store as they are mostly wild caught so it is important to buy them from a place that will treat for parasite and qt them (unless you are setup to qt and treat new fishes).

 

I like Freshwater Tropical Fish For Sale Online - The Wet Spot Tropical Fish and Current Stock List | Tangled Up in Cichlids but both charge a lot for shipping. Very few people have bred L204 or L128 so for the most part they have to be purchased from a store as they are mostly wild caught so it is important to buy them from a place that will treat for parasite and qt them (unless you are setup to qt and treat new fishes).

I have a QT setup no worries. Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah most places charge a lot for shipping unfortunately

 

I have a QT setup no worries. Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah most places charge a lot for shipping unfortunately

If you live in an area that has trade shows (virginia and nc both have fairly large ones) frequently you can buy a lot of uncommon fishes for a few dollars; you can check your region for aquatic shows. I know there is a large on at the end of march in NC.

 

If you live in an area that has trade shows (virginia and nc both have fairly large ones) frequently you can buy a lot of uncommon fishes for a few dollars; you can check your region for aquatic shows. I know there is a large on at the end of march in NC.

Unfortunately I don’t live near where trade shows happen we don’t even have a local club which I’m bummed about

 

My two cents : I don't believe in a growout-tank for this kind of fish.
They need a bigger tank eventhough they might be small when you buy them.

 

My two cents : I don't believe in a growout-tank for this kind of fish.
They need a bigger tank eventhough they might be small when you buy them.

Yeah I agree I didn’t end up buying one