Hi everyone,

Im new here and have just been given a tank with a few fish. One is, I believe, a common Pleco. Can anyone please tell me where do I measure him. Is it from head to tail tip or to the base of his tail?

Depends on whether you want total length (end of tail) or standard length (base of tail).

Most people on trade me have there measurements in total length, personally I prefer my measurements in standard length.

http://www.tt-aa.co.uk/ARTICLES/measuring fish.htm

 

 

Thanks for that. Im really just trying to figure out if my tank is big enough for him. I was given the tank with the pleco, a few neons and 3 x 3 spot gouramis a few weeks ago. The tank is 150x40x45 and he is about 10 inches (25cms) standard length with another 5 inches or so of tail. Ive since added some more neons so I have 7 in total now plus 5 x long fin zebra danios and 5 x long fin leopard danios. Im almost tempted to get another tank just for him but he may get lonely - I have no idea if they like being by themselves or enjoy some company. Other than that I will rehome him as I dont want him in a tank thats too small for him.

What sort of pleco is it?

(If you don't know post some photo's here and we can ID it)

As for do they need friends a lot of pleco's are more solitary fish and are fine by themselves, others need more, but the ones that need more would need more of the same species of pleco's to feel hapy, not just more fish.

best of luck.

To me tank size is ok for now if you have good filtration.