I bought two for my heavily planted 40 gal. tank 2 weeks ago and I haven't seen them since.
2006-10-26 03:12:31 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
They are definitely nocturnal. If you have the common plecostomus, they will eventually become huge. Standard plecos grow to about 2 feet (yes, 24 inches).
When they get up to a foot, they become very lazy and just wait to be fed. They will also put out more poop than than all the rest of your fish combined....times two.
While they are still small you should try to trade them in on some bushynosed plecos, they are always busy and only get to be about 6" tops.
2006-10-26 05:56:50 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From your description, I don't know what species you have, but most pleco types are not very social. They spend a lot of time hiding in crevices or (in the wild) in burrows that they dig in the mud. The reason your pleco hides so much of the time is probably not that it's lonely, but that it's nocturnal. Most (but not all) "pleco" species are inactive most of the day but much more active after dark. If you watch this fish at night (with the tank light off and only dim room lights), you might be surprised how much it moves. For this reason, the best time to feed your plec is after you turn out the lights at night.
2016-05-21 22:06:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally they come out at night/lights are off. 2 plecos is kinda too much for a 40 gallon tank. Be sure you drop some shrimp pellets and algae wafers in the tank to supplement their feeding-and do it in the evening/night time so the other fish don't eat it all.
2006-10-26 03:22:09 · answer #3 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plecos aren't all that active to begin with. I they have found a good spot, they will be content to stay there. Some Plecos are lazy and don't clean the tank like they are supposed to. Just keep an eye out for them. Like I always say about fish and tanks, get the water tested just for good measure.
2006-10-26 04:44:46 · answer #4 · answered by oppsy_poopsy123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They prefer the dark. My plec rarely ever ventures out from under the bottom of my filter during the day, but he was busy at night. problem was I never saw him. So I bought some small blue neon tank lights. now at night my tank looks fantastic and I get to see my plec swimming about and doing his stuff.
2006-10-26 03:22:53 · answer #5 · answered by kenhallonthenet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the algae is disappearing, your little Plecos are doing their job. Remember these fish like to stay at the bottom of the tank, so if there is lots of plant, due to their colouring they may be difficult to see. Besides, if they haven't floated to the top they must still be in there.
2006-10-26 03:19:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are mostly nocturnal, but it depends on the type, how much cover they have, and how hungry they are. Note that pelco are omnivores, and lazy pelco that refuse to clean the tank. Often simply are getting enough to eat from food missed by your fish.
2006-10-26 07:03:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they like the dark... Try slicing some zuccini and attach it via rubber band to a log or rock. they love the stuff. if it gets eaten, they are there and usually they will come out in the day to eat it once they know where it will be
2006-10-26 03:24:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of them are yes, they also tend to be rather shy fish. Get a red or blue light to turn on at night and you should see them.
2006-10-26 08:29:13 · answer #9 · answered by GuZZiZZit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mine come out whenever they feel like it, most of the time they hide in logs etc though. i believe its because although they are very fast they cant defend themselves if attacked. they go around eating algae so thwy will be where ever that happens to have formed
2006-10-26 06:00:56 · answer #10 · answered by bebishenron 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋