SilverBlade86 Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 I want one or two of these, and I have a few questions: 1. Are they the same? 2. How big do they grow? 3. What are some nice but reasonably priced ones? 4. Can a M/F pair live together happily? 5. What do they need? I know they need some driftwood, and probably a cave of some sort. But anything else? 6. What should I feed them? Cucumber everyday? 7. If anyone wants to sell me some, please post a picture or something. Thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishboi Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 1. Are they the same? assuming u mean common pleco like redspot and BN then no. but BN is a type of pleco 2. How big do they grow? common 30cm+ BN 12cm MAX 3. What are some nice but reasonably priced ones? retail price = common from $10 at 10cm BN at $2 from 3cm 4. Can a M/F pair live together happily? yes and can be breed in captivity 5. What do they need? I know they need some driftwood, and probably a cave of some sort. But anything else? clean water and be feed not just living off algae and left overs 6. What should I feed them? Cucumber everyday? u can buy sinking food especially for plecos. they also eat bloodworm, shrimp pellets.......etc 7. If anyone wants to sell me some, please post a picture or something. i only have GBA/golden BN for sale. [one on the left] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 my albino common plec my old common plec normal bn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 this is an excellent site too. http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/sp ... cies_id=49 imo get the bn. most people dont realise how big plecs get and then have to get rid of them. my bn have caused me no problems at all. touch wood . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 A proper plec needs a minimum 4ft long tank. A BN can go in much smaller tanks. A large plec can uproot your lovely plants and dislodge decor with the flick of its tail. A BN will not do this. Plecs are very large poo machines and their long trailing poos sit all over the substrate looking messy. A BN has much smaller poo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 haha trust someone to bring up their trailing poo's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTam22 Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 lol yea I should post a pic of the poo my plec leaves JEEZZZZ what a mess!!!!!! Heres just a pic of him in the mean time, he is in with my turtles. I definately recommend getting a BN aswell I have about 6 of them too and a few GBA's too which are very nice if your after something different Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 My redspot is over a foot long, doesn't leave poo trails, doesn't knock things over(Mostly). I think they're much better than bristlenoses. Oh, and to be pedantic, only the common pleco is a pleco. Redspots aren't technically plecos, they're a Gibbiceps, the bristlenoses are Ancistrus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 commons/gibbies have the potential to reach around 24" i beleive, most arent able to grow to their full potential though due to a range of things and seem to max out around 40-50cm. they are big eaters and big poopers :lol: BN are great little guys, the boys are really cute and they are easily sexed unlike the 'commons', BN can also be bred easier than 'commons'. they also do their fare share of pooping but theyre smaller so its not as bad :lol: i have both and like both but i wouldnt reccomend a 'common' for a tank under 4 feet long and 45cm wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 it depends on what you want, if you want size then get a plec, they grow huge and at a very fast rate i had 3 plec's before and i always end up selling or giving them away as they grow way to big and uproot plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBlade86 Posted November 21, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Cool, thanks for the informative replies. I have a 3 foot tank, so I'll probably go for BNs then. Seems Plecos grow too big. Are they as fancy as the others though? Also, I might PM a few of you in case I'm interested in acquiring a few BNs. Edit - Can a M/F pair do well in a 3f tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 i think a trio would do fine, two females and a male. not all 'plecos' grow big, some will max out around 10-20cm while others like the royal panaque and gold nugget will reach lengths of 40cm or so (over many years). there are a few plecs in the trade (not in nz though) that will reach over 1m long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBlade86 Posted November 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 The 10 - 20 cm ones sounds great. I'll probably go for those. What about Gold BNs though? Are there such things? I saw one for sale on TM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTam22 Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 What about Gold BNs though? YUP THATS A GBA, THEY ARE GREAT GET SOME OF THOSE SAME SIZE AS NORMAL BN'S EXCUSE THE CAPS :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoban Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 One of my Juvie BN I am thinking female at this point. BN all the way!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBlade86 Posted November 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 The prices on GBAs make me cry. I'm thinking of getting small ones so they are cheaper, but at what stage can I sex them? I might go for a trio maybe. Of course, if anyone has any they are willing to sell, gimme a PM, I appreciate it. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTam22 Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 5 or 6 cm's you can see the bristles growing but yea just get some babies and if you end up with more boys just swap with someone on here or sell on trademe. You should be able to get them for about $10ish dollars each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadowfax Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 i have 3 bn's & they just go about their job of cleaning, never bother other fish, i have 1 pleco thats taken over as lord & master of the tank now my red tailed shark has gone!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBlade86 Posted November 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Actually, I retract my previous statement. GBAs are relatively cheap, but the postage is insane! I dont suppose anyone in Chch has any for sale? Else I would consider another members deal! 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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