lorricarid newbie, please offer some advice

snakeman · Post by **snakeman** » 03 Nov 2004, 23:28

hi everyone,

im new at keeping plecos for the most part and thought id ask afew questions. if any of you have any info, links, anything that i could use to learn more please let me know.

i have alot of experience with aquariums, i manage the marine/reef section at the LFS i work at, but L-numbers are new to me. i currently have a 29 gallon tank for plecs setup. i have 1 L066 tiger king and 6 cherry barbs in it now. tank parameters are all on point, and im running a ph of ~6.8. flourite/ aggregate substrate, plants (anubias, hygrophillia, cryptos), driftwood.

i am yet to see the L066 eat yet though, ive offered nori, zuccini, cucumber, and mysis. any advice on the most effective way to feed him?

im also setting up a 20 long (similar setup to the 29 above) for plecs soon. what other plecs would be good (max size) for my 29 or the 20 long. how many per tank?

i have aqualogs "all l-numbers" and "the most beautiful l-numbers" being shipped to me right now aswell. what other books are out there with good solid info on plecs? i cant find anywhere to order the DATZ book, and theres another book ive heard thats good, i think its called "lorricards tricks of the trade" by Vise, but i cant find it either.

any advice on good fish choices, feeding, books, pretty much anything pertaining to plecs would be greatlt appreciated.

sorry for such a long post of newbie questions but im really eager to learn more and im having a hard time finding the info i need.

thanks in advance
david

PlecoCrazy · Post by **PlecoCrazy** » 04 Nov 2004, 02:37

As far as seeing your fish eat. About the only for sure way to do it for plecos is to dim the lights low and sit their motionless for awhile and then you will probably see them come out. If you spend a few hours on this website you should have all of the information you need on keeping your plecos. Water quality is more important than water parameters. If mixing plecos species make sure the temp ranges match for the species being kept.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 04 Nov 2004, 10:11

You can find Book reviews under the "books" section in the menu.

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Mats

saradora · Post by **saradora** » 08 Nov 2004, 01:05

Always look for a pleco you intend to get in the Cat-e-log on this site to see what is known about its requirements. (And particularly beware of rubbernose plecos because they require mid 60s to low 70s temperatures and thus cannot be kept with pretty much any other plecos. I learned this the hard way and now have a rubbernose-only tank in my basement so summer temps can't climb over 75F.)
Always check them before you buy them for full stomachs. Plecos with even slightly inverted stomachs are often goners because they give up on eating.
Correct me if I am wrong, but LO66 is a hypancistrus, right? Hypancistrus seem to prefer more meaty foods. I have an inspector and an unidentified striped hypancistrus, and besides zucchini (which they love) I have only observed them eating bloodworms and more protein based wafers (they love Ocean Nutrition Pretty Pond Catfish Wafers that are a red color). They rarely touch the algae wafers my peckolita, ancistrus, and common pleco devour.
Cat-e-log is the best advice!