Zebra Plec - Not Growing

[Kirstos]

Hi everyone

I have a group of five juvenile zebra plecs that I got back in March time. Since I got them, four of them have grown steadily but there is one that just has not grown. I know this one could just be a 'runt' but I am concerned that he just isnt getting enough food if he may be being muscled out by the bigger ones.

I have a breeding box that I could hang in the tank, if that might help with targeted feeding?

Any advice or suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Kirsty

The other four are pretty much the same size as the bottom one on this picture so he (?) is clearly a lot smaller.

[rroomm11]

zebra plecos a slow growing catfishes.
Main takes about 5 years to go mature sizes (6-7cm)

[Kirstos]

Hi there

Thanks for the response, they are slow growing and I accept that but my concern is this particular one that is growing considerably slower than the other four.

[TwoTankAmin]

What size tank are they in and are there other fish with them?

[Kirstos]

Hiya

There are in a 38 litre (10 US gallon) tank at the moment with no other tank mates, just the five of them.

[Kirstos]

I didnt want to, but I think I will have to resort to using a plastic breeding box in their tank to try to target feed him. Do you think this will be OK if I vacuum it daily?

[Suckermouth]

I think a plastic breeding box will just stress it out. It's probably being outcompeted for food, so while I agree that separating it will probably help, I don't think a breeding box will. I used to keep loricariid fry to feed in breeding boxes but it turns out they just grow faster being left in the main tank. Since this is a bigger zebra it probably will like the breeding box even less.

[Matt30]

Personally I think You need a bigger tank & to feed bigger amounts with regular water changes
I agree with Suckermouth keep him with the group.

[Barbie]

I agree, that tank is too small for the fish and sufficient feeding. Without more information about the regimen you use, it really does seem to be all about competition. I would personally move the 4 to a bigger tank and leave the straggler in the 10 gallon alone so you can target feed him.

Barbie