Pleco Pictures

[HMarcks]

I was just checking out one of the links on MFT the one for SomethingsFishy.com. I thought it kinda odd the way they had photographed their plecos. Is it normal pull them out of the water and hold them by their heads to take pictures of them? Isn't it a little mean, or am I just being to sensitive?

 

[GeraldTheMouse]

A lot of people take pictures of plecos and other fish this way. It makes it a lot easier to photograph, and as long as the gills have water on them, they will be all right. Some fish can live up to a half hour out of water, even more.

 

[PlecoCollector]

People do that with Plecos because when you take a Pleco out of water, it'll spread out its fins and lock them in position, displaying its colours and patterns. Since it's often difficult to take a picture of a pleco with its fins spread out while it's in the water, this makes it easier for a person to show off a pleco. For example, it's hard to appreciate a Sailfin pleco fully if it's fins aren't completely displayed.

I personally don't agree with the method, because I think it stresses the fish out. And despite being able to recover if out of the water for a long period of time, from stories I've heard, there's after effects that can shorten a fish's lifespan.

 

[HMarcks]

I don't know if it being a common practice makes it ok. I wouldn't be happy if someone shoved me under water and started taking pictures of me. But I guess if your being gentle and not hurting the fish its kind of ok. Personally I don't think I would ever do it.

 

[ishar]

I don't like it... it seems really wrong to me...