Am I in the right place?

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 27 Oct 2004, 15:41

Just upgraded my fish tank from 110 litres to 220 litres. Happy me - new fishes!

I already keep three skunk cories (sadly, not featured much on this site - why's that, then?) and wondered what kind of plec would be suitable alongside these.

Clearly, the only pictures I'm familiar with are those of the Zebra plec ... and he's gorgeous.

So ... am I in the right place for advice?

BTW, hello everyone. I'm new!

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 27 Oct 2004, 15:59

Hi Mr H.

You're certainly in the right place for advice, although I can't offer much. I'll ask some more questions instead...

What particular features are you looking for in the pl*co that you're after?
Just a good interesting algae-eating one, or something more?
Do you plan to do breeding?
How much money do you want to spend?
What other fish are you planning to have beside the Cories?

The Zebra (L046) ones are pretty expensive (around 80 pounds for a juvenile). One reason for this is that they are no longer available as wild-caught, because the Brazilian government want to preven extinction (good thing!). So the ones you can buy are tank/pond-bred. That's good in some sense, but because they aren't the easiest fish to breed, they are quite expensive and hard to find.

Most Pleco's are relatively friendly towards other fish, but can defend themselves (with obvious notable exceptions on both counts, like most things), so no big worries about who the "companions" are. And some grow to really big sizes, so even a 220 ltr tank may be a little bit small for some species, at least if you want to keep more than one.

You can find a list of "Loricariidae" (which is the family of Pl*co's) here:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/fa ... icariidae

To find info, look for the ones with an "i" next to the scientific name. If they don't have info, I'd stay off those ones, unless you're really into "experimenting".

Of course, you can also look at the "Common name" in the Cat-eLog. Also, many different Pl*co's are sold under non-scientific names in the shops, and not always correctly identified. I'm pretty sure my "Common Pl*co" isn't at all a that, but probably a female Ancistrus. Don't know how that happened, but I'm happy with the fish I've got. It's looking pretty (very, if I may say so) nice, cleans off algae pretty well, and doesn't disturb any of the other occupants in the tank. I didn't have a clue about all the different varieties of "Pl*co" until I got a book that stated the fact, and then I started trying to identify the fish. I'll post some pictures anytime soon and see if the forum members can help a bit...

--
Mats

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 27 Oct 2004, 16:19

To be honest, I'm after a pleco for purely cosmetic / vain reasons. I just want something cool and interesting, and maybe a bit out of the ordinary.

My specifications would be : not too big (don't want to frighten my other fish, or curtail my options on more new fish), not aggressive (ditto), and (for its own benefit) a pleco that doesn't mind being single.

I don't want to breed them - baby fish are outrageously cute, but ... the work!!! Also, it doesn't have to be a great algae eater - I have a gang of amano shrimp that take care of that!

I already have :
five black neon tetras
four pentazona barbs
three skunk cories
two black skirt tetras and a confused white skirt tetra
one dwarf red honey gourami

... but they're all a bit lost in their new home. I was thinking ... a Zebra Plec (although you're putting me off!) and a couple of Boseman's Rainbows (I'd like a yellow or gold fish).

All advice gratefully accepted!

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 27 Oct 2004, 16:44

Forgot the important bits ...

ammonia = 0
nitrites = 0
nitrates = 20-40 (depending on how near to fishtankcleaningday it is)
pH = 7.5/8
gH / KH = high, but I don't remember the numbers

The water's hard as nails round here.

Tank base is 4 foot by 15 inches. Substrate is Dorset Pea gravel and it's well planted. Caves by arrangement.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 27 Oct 2004, 16:53

mrh wrote:To be honest, I'm after a pl*co for purely cosmetic / vain reasons. I just want something cool and interesting, and maybe a bit out of the ordinary.

My specifications would be : not too big (don't want to frighten my other fish, or curtail my options on more new fish), not aggressive (ditto), and (for its own benefit) a pl*co that doesn't mind being single.

[snip]

... but they're all a bit lost in their new home. I was thinking ... a Zebra Plec (although you're putting me off!) and a couple of Boseman's Rainbows (I'd like a yellow or gold fish).

All advice gratefully accepted!

The Zebra (L046) matches your requirements. But so does most of its close relatives in the Hypancistrus branch.

As does Ancistrus, and many other varieties. Hypostomus (which used to be Pl*costomus) are mostly of the variety that grows to 300-400mm in size, and can easily outgrow even the bigger tanks.

Here's how I'd do it: Go to the local fish shop (LFS), see what they have, and maybe even ask about what different varieties they can get. Check up which of these varieties have the correct "spec's" for what you want, and go back to the LFS and get the fish you want.

Of course, if you have more than one Local-ish fish shop, go to all of them, and see what's on offer.

Unless of course, you REALLY want a particular specie, in which case your LFS may not be able to get it for you, and thus have to find someone that can sell you one. There are a variety of places on the web that sell fish (or people with fish for sale can advertise).

--
Mats

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 27 Oct 2004, 17:36

Go to the local fish shop (LFS), see what they have, and maybe even ask about what different varieties they can get. Check up which of these varieties have the correct "spec's" for what you want, and go back to the LFS and get the fish you want.

That's what I usually do. But I guess they cater for people who want vast quantities of guppies (for novelty baby value) or neons (for ... er ... dunno. Ease?).

I'm yet to find a fish shop with either good advice or good stock!

How does web-buying work? How on earth do you get the fish? Can you recommend anywhere?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 27 Oct 2004, 17:54

mrh wrote: That's what I usually do. But I guess they cater for people who want vast quantities of guppies (for novelty baby value) or neons (for ... er ... dunno. Ease?).

I'm yet to find a fish shop with either good advice or good stock!

How does web-buying work? How on earth do you get the fish? Can you recommend anywhere?

You may want to find a FS that is better than the local ones...

Can't comment on web-buying, as I've yet to buy anything from the web. I suppose it's either by mail (eek!), by special courier delivery (better) or by meeting somewhere and handing over the goods. I'd much prefer the latter. But there are certainly a number of companies that will sell by "mail order", and I'm pretty sure that at least some of the companies have a form of delivery that is reliable enough that most fish arrive alive and in good condition.

Fortunately, England is small enough that if you don't live anywhere really remote (channel islands, northern scotland or parts of wales), you're never that far from a bigger town/city, so you can usually find somewhere reasonably decent within a few hours drive. It's much worse for those who live in the US for instance, as if you don't live near a big city in the first place, you may have to travel a whole day (or more) to get to one...

If you give a bit more info, someone here should be able to direct you to a good aquatics shop. I'm local to Lynchford Aquatics in Farnborough(North Camp), but also have another three-four shops within 15 minutes drive.

Lynchford seem to be both concerned about what they sell to whom and know about what they do. Some friends of mine seem to be of the same opinion, and they have more of a half-hour drive to get there.

I've been to some other places which don't seem to know much about what they sell. Some places you find half a dozen dead fish, and I quickly walk away, especially when they are in four different tanks (not just a bad delivery then).

--
Mats

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 27 Oct 2004, 20:00

I've been to some other places which don't seem to know much about what they sell. Some places you find half a dozen dead fish, and I quickly walk away, especially when they are in four different tanks (not just a bad delivery then).

I'm constantly horrified by the state of LFSs local to me. Dead or dying fish, half-eaten specimens, rife whitespot, the most unsuitable tankmates crowded together ... plus a local predilection for "painted" fish. Eeugh.

So its always good to get a recommendation. I'm visiting my big bro' in Surrey next week - you reckon Lynchford is worth checking out? Is there plenty to see there?

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 28 Oct 2004, 11:19

mrh wrote: I'm constantly horrified by the state of LFSs local to me. Dead or dying fish, half-eaten specimens, rife whitespot, the most unsuitable tankmates crowded together ... plus a local predilection for "painted" fish. Eeugh.

So its always good to get a recommendation. I'm visiting my big bro' in Surrey next week - you reckon Lynchford is worth checking out? Is there plenty to see there?

About fish that is sick/dead: A friend of my fiancee's parents works for Surrey County Council, as a "rat catcher" (Pest control). My fiancee was in one of the local pet-shop/garden centres, and they had at least 6 dead fish in different places, and she saw the "rat catcher" in the shop, and told him about it. He took out his badge and walked up to the staff and told them to sort it out... It would of course be better if they could look after their fish without being told to do so, but...

Where in Surrey? There may be better places... (Maybe someone else can recommend, depending on the area).

But if you're around the estern part of Surrey, you may want to just check them out. It's not a HUGE place. They have a selection of just about everything from tropical saltwater fish, a few cichlids, large and small goldfish. And of course lots of Platy/Tetra/Barb's. I just think they are better than the others nearby.

Badshot Lea garden centre seems to be pretty good selection, perhaps with a few more exotic things than Lynchford (in Badshot Lea, near Farnham, by the A31/A331 junction, again on the border of Surrey/Hants).

--
Mats

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 28 Oct 2004, 15:41

I've been told that Ashford Aquatics is a good place. But I haven't been there myself, it was a colleague who said that they have a large selection of fish.

I'm thinking of going there this weekend. Will let you know what I think after I've been there.

--
Mats

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 28 Oct 2004, 20:23

That'd be cool. I actually live in the Bristol/Bath area, but never pass up an opportunity to see how much better everyone else's stores are!

YouTube · Post by **Jools** » 28 Oct 2004, 20:29

mrh wrote:I already keep three skunk cories (sadly, not featured much on this site - why's that, then?)

Good point, I'll look into that.

Jools

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 01 Nov 2004, 09:01

Went to Ashford Aquatics, inside Vermeulens Garden Centre, Stanwell Moor near Heathrow, on Saturday. Here's my impressions:
1. It's got a large number of tanks, with a large range of different fish. Saw three different kinds of LARGE pl*co (10"/25cm+ sizes), one being Adonis Pleco which was beutiful! I saw some Syno's, Peckoltia and _MANY_ other catfish, not just the usual Cory's and "common" pl*co's.
2. Not entirely convinced about the husbandry of the fish. Several tanks seemed to have fish with problems, such as missing fins.
3. It's a pain to get to. It's on the side of a dual carriageway, and it's not possible to cross from one to the other carriageway, and no easy access via roundabouts.

If you're nearby anyway, sure, go there. But I had higher expectations from what I'd heard about it than they could satisfy. I'm still much happier with Lynchford Aquatics. Nearby Badshot Lea garden centre is still refurbishing their tanks (filter system to be precise), and they are far from fully stocked at the moment.

--
Mats

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 01 Nov 2004, 11:08

Thanks for talking the time to get back to me on that.

Seems like its probably not worth a special trip out there, but I'm going to take a look at my mapbook - if I'm passing, I'll definately check it out. I have to travel from Milton Keynes to Dorking, so that has to take me close ... I think ... My geography isn't what it should be!

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 01 Nov 2004, 11:30

mrh wrote:Thanks for talking the time to get back to me on that.

Seems like its probably not worth a special trip out there, but I'm going to take a look at my mapbook - if I'm passing, I'll definately check it out. I have to travel from Milton Keynes to Dorking, so that has to take me close ... I think ... My geography isn't what it should be!

Ok, yes, Ashford Aquatics is just about on the way from MK to Dorking, if you're using big roads. Ashford Aquatics is 2 minutes away from M25/J14(A3113/Heathrow T4). If you're going "Counterclockwise (southbound)" on M25, here's directions: Come off M25 at J14, take first exit at roundabout on top of M25, then third exit at next roundabout. Vermeulens Garden Centre is on the right hand side, so you need to turn around somewhere and go back. The road is called Horton Road if you have a detailed map.

Dorking is quite a distance from Farnborough (25-30 miles I guess), but if you want to visit Lynchford Aquatics, it's on Peabody Road, which comes off Lynchford road. That is the large-ish road that goes between A325 and A331 at the southern end of Farnborough. You need to be going towards the A331 when going onto Peabody Road (due to "no right turn" on Lynchford). Just go to the roundabout and turn around if you're coming from A331 (which is the way I'd come if I came from Dorking/M25 direction). Its about 150-200 yards from Lynchford Road.

If you want to do that as part of the trip between MK and Dorking (or Dorking/Bristol), you'd be taking the M3 down to Junction 4 and go south (Farnborough/Guildford) directin on the A331 until you get to the North Camp/Farnboruogh exit, which is a couple of miles or so. You then need to cross the A331 and go first exit at the roundabout after the bridge. I guess it's about 10-12 miles from the M25 to Farnborough.

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Mats

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 01 Nov 2004, 15:25

Cool - thanks!

I'll let you know what I thought / bought next week when I get back!

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 01 Nov 2004, 15:35

Ok, have fun...

--
Mats

shovelnoser · Post by **shovelnoser** » 08 Nov 2004, 15:29

there is a pleco with the common name pretty peckolita that im pretty sure stays pretty small i dont know the taxonomic name sorry

shovelnoser · Post by **shovelnoser** » 08 Nov 2004, 15:30

there is a pleco with the common name pretty peckolita that im pretty sure stays pretty small i dont know the taxonomic name sorry

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 08 Nov 2004, 15:37

All the peckoltia species (at least any that I've found any data on) are pretty much in the right range for a small tank.

I think I mentioned those in one of the first messages on the subject...

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Mats

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 08 Nov 2004, 19:34

in the MK area try maidenhead aquatics or hobbyfish.
both are good.

let me know if your interested.

mrh · Post by **mrh** » 10 Nov 2004, 19:21

There's a Maidenhead Aquatics just outside Bristol ... they seem more geared up to pond stuff than fw tropical. Still, a different branch is always worth pursuing!

Having spent a weekend in Surrey with my big bro', I ended up babysitting many small boys, not fish shopping. Bummer. Still, hajust today I discovered a little zebra plec at my local fish shop! Exciting to see one in the flesh ... but Â£65!! Is it EVER worth it? I've been given the choice : an i-pod or a zebra plec for Christmas.

Decisions!!

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 11 Nov 2004, 09:33

What size is the Zebra for 65 quid? [And isn't an i-pod a bit more than 65 quid? You should at least be able to get another fish or two to go with your Zebra...]

Adult size is about 3" or so.

Sorry to hear that you didn't get any time to go fish-hunting...

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Mats

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