The guy told me that although he can get to be up to 20 inches long... if the tank is small enough he won't outgrow it. The guy at the pet store said that he would grow in respects to the size of the tank. I only have a 10 gal tank. Although the guy told me he wouldn't outgrow it (he wouldn't get any bigger than room would allow), I'm nervous that maybe the guy was wrong. Anyone know anything about this? Will he truely stay small enough for my tank, or will I have to find him a new home?
2007-06-16 13:09:35 · 9 answers · asked by genesisann86 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
he was right, but its not very good at all. you most likely got a common pleco, which (in good conditions) can grow to 2 feet. if you keep him in a 10 gallon, it will stunt his growth and shorten his life substantially, and he would be extremely unhappy. if time/space/money allows, you really should get him a much larger tank, preferably a 55 gallon or larger. if not, you could consider returning him for a smaller pleco, such as a rubberlip or bristlenose.
2007-06-16 13:56:15 · answer #1 · answered by Kerri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a common misconception that fish do not grow past their environment. What really happens is their lives are cut much shorter than they should be. A 10 gallon tank is much too small for a Pleco as they can get at least 12 inches in length. You would do best to return him and see if you can get a small cory cat as they only get 3 inches.
2007-06-16 13:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by lttleldycash03@verizon.net 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The guys was right and wrong at the same time. The fish will stop getting larger in a small tank, but it's organs will continue to grow. This is called stunting and will cause the fish to die an early death. I would suggest a new home for him and a new shop for you.
MM
2007-06-16 13:48:48 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a common myth, the only reason they dont grow is due to excessive nitrates, filthy conditions. there was a good thread a while back about the effects of excessive nitrates in aquariums and stunted growth in fish i find it i will post it
snails would be a good choice. as for species someone else should have more knowledge on that
2007-06-16 13:18:42 · answer #4 · answered by PyRo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What happens is that you can either stunt his growth which causes his outer body to stop growing and his internal organs and body to keep growing, killing him basically.
Another possibility is that they do grow but they grow slower, but this also results in them dying very shortly.
2007-06-16 13:22:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will shorten his life -- if he is by himself he will last a couple of years though. there are varieties of plecos that only grow to 4" -- they usually cost more. i don't know why everyone wants plecos.
2007-06-16 13:20:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
he should stay reasonably small enough for you tank but he could get bigger than it
2007-06-16 13:17:26 · answer #7 · answered by tkerbag 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
check out this website, and you will exactly know how big your pleco can get and which kind you actually bought
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1923
2007-06-16 21:40:52 · answer #8 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, yeahj. they do live shorter lives. but they don't know it. that said, go for the biggest tank you can
2007-06-16 13:47:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋