Pleco got bigger than expected

When I bought my pleco about a year ago I was VERY naive and uneducated in this subject... The person at the store told me to purchase a pleco to clean the algae from my 10 gallon tank, he said that it would only grow to be at most 2 inches long... fast forward to now, one year later, and the pleco is about 8 inches long, and I believe has been the reason for the death of many of my guppies. What the heck should I do with this pleco? Should I just order a larger tank and start fresh? I do love and care for him, but he has definitely caused issues in my tank, and I know that he isn't in a large enough habitat for his size, so I feel awful.

Thanks everyone.

 

Hi, do you know the species that you have? And if not, could you show us a picture?

 

Plecos have always been one of my favorite fish. If upgrading his tank is an option its a good excuse to do it.

 

The 8" pleco is in your 10 gallon tank ?

 

yeppers, I know, it's not good! I definitely didn't know he was going to get this big! here's some pics of the big guy

What size tank should I be upgrading to?

 

Looks quite healthy all things considered. I would move it to a larger tank if possible.

 

I do keep the tank clean and heated. But I was thinking the same thing, just wanted to hear some more opinions on the situation! I'm going to order a new tank on Amazon tonight.

 

I do keep the tank clean and heated. But I was thinking the same thing, just wanted to hear some more opinions on the situation! I'm going to order a new tank on Amazon tonight.

Personally, I think a 55 or 75 gallon reasonable, if not ideal . . .

 

Beautiful fish

 

Wow, my poor pleco, I can't imagine how shocked/excited he will be once he goes into his new tank!

 

Personally i much prefer my 75 over my 55's.

 

Beautiful fish

Thank you!!! I love him... or her.... I'm really not sure lol

 

Thank you!!! I love him... or her.... I'm really not sure lol

I do have to applaude you. To get a fish that big and that good looking in a 10 gallon is almost unimaginable.

 

I'm looking at a few of them right now (55 gallons being the smallest), but whatever I buy will for sure be better than what he's got now!... Thanks!

I do have to applaude you. To get a fish that big and that good looking in a 10 gallon is almost unimaginable.

Wow! thank you so much! I've been feeling so bad for the poor thing lately because I can see he'd like to be able to swim around more than he's able to, but I'm glad to hear that he's looking healthy! I will update this post with a picture once I've got him settled in his new spot

 

thats a sailfin pleco, Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps. they can grow to 50cm or 19 inches. they are good looking fish, i have 1 and a goldspot pleco in a 6x2x2, they cleared out all the algae from my glass, wood, and plants so i love them for that too.

 

that's a golden nugget pleco and no it won't eat aelge and you would need at lest a four foot tank to keep him in he will get very big and will up root plants if he dosnt break them first with his tail and yes he may eat some of your guppies if they are near the bottom of your tank u would have been better of getting a common bristle nose catfish they grow to 13 cm a tad big for your small tank but great at eating aelge

 

If you have a PetSmart or Petco nearby, you may find better deals their versus Amazon. Petco has $1/gallon sales on bare Aqueon tanks and 50% off 55 gallon and 75 gallon Aqueon tanks throughout the year. Also, PetSmart has their Top Fin kits on sale for 25%-50% off all three time also.

PetSmart has the Marineland 75 gallon ensemble combo with tank, stand, glass lid and light on sale for $249 a couple of times a year, which is also a good option. Download their app and play the in-app game to earn 25% off coupons.

The coupon could potentially make the 55 gallon kit $75 and the Marineland 75 gallon ensemble $187.50. I own both and have no issues with them.

A 55 gallon or 75 gallon would be ideal for your pleco plus it opens up a wide range of tank mate possibilities.

 

yeah, everything on amazon is looking super pricey, though I'm trying to avoid going to public places right now because of the current situation we've got going on, just deciding whether spending the extra money is worth it...

and lol johnbetta , you are absolutely right.... I wish that I had of gotten a smaller breed, though when I bought this guy I was completely new to the hobby and extremely naive..... Wish I hadn't of bought this guy but I do love him now <3

 

yes it will be

and lol johnbetta , you are absolutely right.... I wish that I had of gotten a smaller breed, though when I bought this guy I was completely new to the hobby and extremely naive..... Wish I hadn't of bought this guy but I do love him now <3

thank u mate means a lot we all have a lot to learn I am happy to help u and every one on here

 

that's a sailfin pleco, Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps. they can grow to 50cm or 19 inches. they are good looking fish, i have 1 and a goldspot pleco in a 6x2x2, they cleared out all the algae from my glass, wood, and plants so i love them for that too.

Wow... I just looked at pictures on Google and he does look exactly like a sailfin.... I'm sure if I had the poor thing in a bigger tank he'd be much larger :/.... Thanks for the info!! I had no idea what the heck he was!

 

Order a tank off the phone from petco at $1 per gallon the 75 is $99, I personally would build a stand for it myself but not everyone can do that!

 

I live in Canada, I've never seen a Petco in my life so I'm not sure if that's available here lol!!

But I'm with ya! I want to build a stand out of oak

The 8" pleco is in your 10 gallon tank ?

Currently he is, yes.

 

He's stunning! You've done well to grow him that size in small tank, so you're doing things right. If you can't get hold of large tank, you can get huge plastic container, and use it as temp fish tank until you can. When I'll get huge tank, I'll definetly get one of those guys.

 

He's absolutely beautiful! And can I just say it's super honourable of you to check up when you feel somethings not right and not just follow blindly the information you've been given. It's even more honourable of you to upgrade him, as I'm sure he'll absolutely love his new home
All the best, hope you can find some good deals!

 

He's absolutely beautiful! And can I just say it's super honourable of you to check up when you feel somethings not right and not just follow blindly the information you've been given. It's even more honourable of you to upgrade him, as I'm sure he'll absolutely love his new home
All the best, hope you can find some good deals!

Thank you so much SeaMonkey06

 

Mine grew to 12" in TEN YEARS in a 110 us gal tank measuring 6' x 18" x 18".

Sold to another keeper at that size.

If I didn't keep Clown Loaches it would have been a good fish to keep.

BEST ALGAE EATER EVER!

 

Great looking fish and it is awesome that you are so enthusiastic about upgrading.

 

Hi, that is definitely a sailfin pleco, They grow to about 11"-13".
They are considered 1 of the easiest plecos to take care of. Just make sure there is algae in the tank, and you can feed them algae wafers 2x a week.
If you can, I would suggest buying a tank no smaller then 75-100 gallons. Look at the bright side, the bigger the tank the more fish you can keep in there.
These guys can live up to 20+ years.