Might Have To Rehome My Common Pleco...

So, as I said in my other thread, I got a fully-stocked 8-gallon hex tank from a neighbor who moved. One of the fish is a Common Pleco. I just found out through some online research that my Pleco will easily grow to 20 inches. I want to get a larger tank, but I've been told that my Pleco will require up to 125 gallons, which means that my fish tank would be relegated to the basement. I just scored a 30-gallon aquarium from a friend who's been in the hobby for years and is quite an expert. However, I've never had a tank larger than 10 gallons. Should I put my Pleco up for adoption or pull the trigger on a large tank?

 

125 sounds about right for a common. That decision would be up to you. Any reason you can't put it on the first floor? A header beam and a couple jack posts is usually all that's needed to support the extra load.

 

That's entirely up to you! If you don't feel like taking care of a large tank, there's nothing wrong with finding another home for your dude.

 

At least you are thinking of other options so that's always a good sign! I love watching large plecos...dont know that I would ever be up to caring for that large of a tank myself though, either

 

Set the 30 gallon up and rehome the pleco to it.

As it grows larger, you can decide on the course of action to take.

Depending on it's eventual full grown length, a 75 gallon may be suitable. It is possible it will stop growing at 12"-14" also depending on strain.

Plecos don't spend the day swimming around. A 75 gallon wouldn't be optimal, but will work if some that's 6ft long is not feasible.

 

If you do keep him in a smaller tank temporarily, make sure the decor suits him. What I mean is, give him ample, comfortable hiding spaces. I have a really large piece of driftwood propped up so Archibald can hide under it with plenty of space to swim around while being able to stretch out. Overcrowding the decor can be stressful for large fish.

 

It’s probably stunted from being in there already, so I highly doubt it’ll get 20 inches. Still will grow though.

 

Mine was stunted when I got it. Took about a year till it decided to grow. It grew relatively fast after that. It was close to a foot when I decided my 75 wasn't cutting it for him.

 

125 sounds about right for a common. That decision would be up to you. Any reason you can't put it on the first floor? A header beam and a couple jack posts is usually all that's needed to support the extra load.

That's entirely up to you! If you don't feel like taking care of a large tank, there's nothing wrong with finding another home for your dude.

At least you are thinking of other options so that's always a good sign! I love watching large plecos...dont know that I would ever be up to caring for that large of a tank myself though, either

Set the 30 gallon up and rehome the pleco to it.

As it grows larger, you can decide on the course of action to take.

Depending on it's eventual full grown length, a 75 gallon may be suitable. It is possible it will stop growing at 12"-14" also depending on strain.

Plecos don't spend the day swimming around. A 75 gallon wouldn't be optimal, but will work if some that's 6ft long is not feasible.

If you do keep him in a smaller tank temporarily, make sure the decor suits him. What I mean is, give him ample, comfortable hiding spaces. I have a really large piece of driftwood propped up so Archibald can hide under it with plenty of space to swim around while being able to stretch out. Overcrowding the decor can be stressful for large fish.

Here are some pictures of my dude that I just took...

Some more current pics of my dude...

 

UPDATE: I will put the pleco in the 30-gallon once I set it up. When he gets bigger, I'll rehome him at my friend's house...