Pleco growing rate

FishiesGallore

FishiesGallore

Medium Fish
#1
Feb 19, 2006
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I live in San Diego, California
#1
I have 2 Plecos, I'm not sure of the species, but I've had one of them for around 3 months and he is the same size as the day I got him (about 2.5'') and recently I was given another larger one, (about 3.5-4'') about a month ago and he doesn't appear to have grown either.
Upon a visit to Petco last month, I was shown the biggest freakin' Pleco I have ever seen! He was about 4 feet long and I know he weighed at LEAST 7 or 8 lbs. . . .

I know that Plecos can get quite large, and that eventually I'll have to get a bigger tank if I'd like to keep them. I was wondering. . . how long do Pleco's live, and what is their growing rate? I've heard that Plecos get large no matter what and that they won't "grow to their environment" is this true?

Please help! I love my Plecos and I don't want to have to get rid of them!
 

Pure

Pure

Elite Fish
#2
Nov 1, 2005
3,216
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Jacksonville, FL
#2
Plecs will stunt, but not as bad as other fish so yeah they do normally out grow small tanks.

Growth rate depends on what species it is. Commons should grow rather quickly. Growth is largely dependant on if the fish is getting enough to eat. If yours isn't growing you may want to start dropping appropriate foods in the tank for it.
 

Pure

Pure

Elite Fish
#7
Nov 1, 2005
3,216
7
0
Jacksonville, FL
#7
Right Gup, Actually there are WAY more carnivore plecs than veggies. I find it funny how the common belief is that they all eat algae and or veggies. This is why I told the original poster to feed according to the species of plec. However, I'm willing to bet the plec in question is a common...They are sooo common that almost every time someone says "my pleco this or that" they are talking about a common.

There is nothing wrong with having a common, just they are abused almost as much as bettas. (Sold to the kid with a 5 gal tank)
 

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