New Tank, Need Advice And Help Identifying Pleco

I previously had one of those beginner "oops" tanks. It was a 5 gallon, and what remained were 2 Zebra Danios. (I know, I know. They need to be in groups of at least 6. I feel so bad for not having done the research beforehand.) It was one of those starter kits, but the light and filter both died within the first year. I talked my fiancé into getting a new tank, but his condition was that it only took up as much space on the desk as my 5 gallon. So we ended up with a tall 15 gallon tank, used.

My first question is, is it okay to keep the Danios in a tall tank? (There's now 3 of them as 1 came with the tank.) I know they are very active and I have seen people say they need a long tank to really thrive. If not, should I rehome them?

The tank also came with a Pleco. I don't think they're supposed to be in anything smaller than 20 gallons? The previous owner also wasn't sure what kind he was, but that he was "an appropriate size for the tank". Can you guys help me figure out what he is? And if I need to rehome him too? I apologize if the water is still a little cloudy in the pics, I just got the tank set up today.

Pleco Face

• Little Lionfish
• Dec 1, 2018

Pleco Full Body

• Little Lionfish
• Dec 1, 2018

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!

 

It looks like it could be a gold spot pleco

 

I'm horrible with id but there are very few or no plecos that would be able to live in a 15 gallon unfortunately. Even very small ones get 5+ inches with most varieties being much larger and they are known to be poop macbines. When you stock consider the footprint of the tank. If the dimensions are that of a 5 gallon you should stock it in a similar manner. Most fish swim side to side not up and down. I think it's great you were able to get a bigger home for your fish however you will still have pretty limited options on what can go in it. There are a ton of really cool nano fish as I am currently learning. I will let someom else help with options and the question about your danios as I am just recently learning about nano fish myself.

Your setup looks nice btw love the decor

 

It looks like it could be a gold spot pleco

That's what I was thinking when I was first browsing Plecos, which would be a huge problem because they get quite large.

I'm horrible with id but there are very few or no plecos that would be able to live in a 15 gallon unfortunately. Even very small ones get 5+ inches with most varieties being much larger and they are known to be poop macbines. When you stock consider the footprint of the tank. If the dimensions are that of a 5 gallon you should stock it in a similar manner. Most fish swim side to side not up and down. I think it's great you were able to get a bigger home for your fish however you will still have pretty limited options on what can go in it. There are a ton of really cool nano fish as I am currently learning. I will let someom else help with options and the question about your danios as I am just recently learning about nano fish myself.

Your setup looks nice btw love the decor

So far I've seen no plecos in 15g. This poor guy... I'm gonna have to figure something out for him. I can't really get a larger tank. I'm really digging some of the nano fish so far too. Lots of colors!
Thank you! I've got a bit more in there, mostly artificial plants that I plan to sub out with live. I have one anubia nana and a marimo ball right now, but no rocks or wood for attaching yet.

 

Unfortunately, yes, I would suggest rehoming the fish. The danios like you said really need a longer tank. They are just so active they have to have the room to zip around and thrive.

The pleco likely would need a new home as well. I can’t think of any plecos that would do well in the base dimensions of a 5g. He’s very pretty though, wish I could help with ID but I honestly can’t tell plecos apart very well.

There’s still fish that could really do well in a 5 gallon and if you do decide you are going to rehome the other fish, we can help you figure out a stock if you’d like.

Also, welcome to fishlore, glad you are here!

 

I called a LFS and they basically said the same. They're willing to take the danios and pleco as well as identify him. My fiancé really likes the pleco and doesn't want to let him go. I'm having a hard time explaining to him why these aren't really ideal living conditions for it, or the danios, because "they don't seem stressed" and are exploring the whole tank.

I think we'll eventually get some nano fish for the aquarium and I'll add more live plants. I'll come back for stocking advice once I know the tank is stable and ready.

Thank you for the welcome, and for the advice!

 

Stocking List For 5 Gallon Nano Aquariums
Any of these fish would work with your tanks footprint. Now numbers would need adjusted since your tank holds more gallons. Or pick on top dweller, one mid and one bottom.

 

looks like a bristle-nose

 

Stocking List For 5 Gallon Nano Aquariums
Any of these fish would work with your tanks footprint. Now numbers would need adjusted since your tank holds more gallons. Or pick on top dweller, one mid and one bottom.

Thank you, I'll definitely give that a look!

looks like a bristle-nose

When I described it to the LFS over the phone that's what they said it might be, but that it hasn't grown any bristles yet.

 

I have a 15 gallon tall tank too. Well, two 15 gallon talls but one is a hex tank. I have one betta in it. He's always exploring and seems to really like it. The other tank has a colony of snowball shrimp. There are a lot of cool nano fish you could get. if I was restocking, I would look at Scarlet badis or pea puffers. Both can require live food depending on the temperament of the fish you get. Keep us updated on what you decide on!

 

Awe he’s so cute! I agree he won’t be too happy in a tank tank but thankfully you have a backup plan

 

Or get him real attached to the pleco and convince him to upgrade to a 55 or 75 gallon tank.

 

Or get him real attached to the pleco and convince him to upgrade to a 55 or 75 gallon tank.

If it's a bushynose they may be able to get away with a 30 or 40
I agree, try to get him attached to it, a 29 gallon is as long as 20 long, but taller, and really isn't very big.
You'd have to get a stand, but you'd be able to keep all your fish as well as get a few more!
It's a bit more work sometimes, but I think you'd both have more fun with a larger tank.
So, either tell him pleco has to go, or his compromise does!
Hahaha!
That's one thing I like about my boyfriend, my money, my spending! He doesn't get a say unless it's his fish! Hehe

 

We really love Bettas, but I think we would also like to have some tank mates with it if that's what we decided on. I'm definitely keeping fiancé included in the choice because I want him to enjoy the tank as much as I do.

Or get him real attached to the pleco and convince him to upgrade to a 55 or 75 gallon tank.

Oh gosh I wish. Unfortunately we our lease only allows for 20 gallon tanks or smaller. That's why he's a bit upset about hearing we may have to let the pleco go.

 

Awww That's too bad you can't have a 29.
Though with a 20 long you could barely make the match with a bushynose.
They don't exactly need the extra 9 gallons above the 20.
I'm hoping it's a bushy and you two can be convinced! Lol

 

Or get him real attached to the pleco and convince him to upgrade to a 55 or 75 gallon tank.

That's what I did we do have 2 smaller pleco varieties in 20 Ong Tanks. You may make do with that

 

I don't think I could convince him to get a 20 gallon tank but I could definitely try. The reason we got this tank was because he wanted a small footprint... but now I have leverage. I'm definitely down for a 20 gallon long tank, haha.

 

It’s a Bristlenose/Bushynose, probably a female. They get 6 inches, but that’s absolute max. I really don’t understand how people can keep a fish and not even know the name. (Not you, the previous owner)

 

It’s a Bristlenose/Bushynose, probably a female. They get 6 inches, but that’s absolute max.

Yes! The outcome we needed! Haha

 

It would be doable in a 20 gallon long tank. Could keep the danios and up their numbers. Cool thing with zebra danios they have a long fin morph too and will all school together. So same fish just look a little different.

 

I think it would look awesome to have a school of 7 or so danios in a 20 long.
3 long fin the rest normal.
It's possible to add others I believe, but it would depend on owners likes.

 

I don't think I could convince him to get a 20 gallon tank but I could definitely try. The reason we got this tank was because he wanted a small footprint... but now I have leverage. I'm definitely down for a 20 gallon long tank, haha.

It's obviously going to take up more room but I find it's really easy for a small apartment type space fit in literaly any corner

 

It's obviously going to take up more room but I find it's really easy for a small apartment type space fit in literaly any corner

Mine literally fits perfect on my grandmas old coffee table! Haha
And my 29 on my dresser!
Most people don't have a crazy cluttered dresser, and a lot of them can hold well over 100lbs without bowing.
I even used to have my 20 on my desk which now has only a 10 on it.

 

Fiancé isn't down with the 20 gallon long tank. Our living situation is pretty cramped so I understand where he's coming from even if I don't like it. We're looking at moving in the somewhat near future and said a 20 gallon would be fine once we had more space, but that might be 6 months down the line or longer and I'm not sure it's okay to keep these guys in the 15 gallon for that long.

For the time being the danios are at least appearing to do well and the pleco is all over the place.

20181201_222903

• Little Lionfish
• Dec 2, 2018

Frontal view

Thank you for all the input and advice, guys. I really appreciate it.

 

Just keep up on water testing and water quality. It may not be the best size wise but I think bio load wise its doable for now.

 

Fiancé isn't down with the 20 gallon long tank. Our living situation is pretty cramped so I understand where he's coming from even if I don't like it. We're looking at moving in the somewhat near future and said a 20 gallon would be fine once we had more space, but that might be 6 months down the line or longer and I'm not sure it's okay to keep these guys in the 15 gallon for that long.

For the time being the danios are at least appearing to do well and the pleco is all over the place.

20181201_222903

• Little Lionfish
• Dec 2, 2018

Frontal view

Thank you for all the input and advice, guys. I really appreciate it.

I totally understand we are finally in a place where we have room for a big tank which is exciting. I don't think it's ideal but I think they would be ok if you kept up on water changes and such.