Holy Plecostamous

[Matthew L Moriarity]

So...I got my 600 gallon back up an running since the initial leak. I decided I would go to one of the local springs and see if I could cast net a couple fish, hopefully some gar, tilapia, bowfin, or something of the sort. After paddling up and then back through the river without any vision, we came back to the crystal clear lake in the middle of the spring... no more gar were visible, but to my surprise, I float right over a school of plecostamous and throw out the cast net, which went out in an embarrassing kidney bean form. I began pulling the net in when I realized how heavy it was, "I think I have one" I yelled out to my fellow canoe-goer as I pulled the net close to the unstable platform upon which I was balancing ever so cautiously, "Holy ****! I've got about ten of them!!" I screamed. It was a very interesting sight.

I am wondering a few things... what exactly should I feed these guys?

I am definitely keeping the beast, my best catch and most insane creature I've ever laid my eyes upon so far, the one easily picked out from the photos below.

I live in Orlando, FL. If anyone would like to adopt one of these beautiful fish, please make a relocation offer. I appear to have about 9 that need good homes...

 

[ettfettbranamn]

wow.. that is one big pleco!!

 

[Ak-Kronic]

FRIGGIN MASSIVE!!!!!!!! those look like common plecos.......they eat everything........try zuchini. and any large sinking pellets. also like algae waffers. man i still can't fathom catching all thise wild SA/CA fish in america........way to go on the find!!!

 

[HarlanAshmore]

nice plecs but is that a dead bass or something in there

 

[zerojquan85]

nice pleco.. but i would have done maybe 1 or 2.... a whole tank full of common is just too common....

Spicy up the tank with some exotics!

But i do agree.. ya.. cucumbers and stuff... but ur looking at probably the whole cucumber at once....

 

[Matthew L Moriarity]

Thanks for the help.

I do plan to put some exotics in there, just kinds hit the mother load like I said so I brought them all back. I will probably be keeping the big one, and one or two of the others. The other 9 I plan to get rid of.

Yes that is a dead bass, he enjoyed reign over the tank for about a week and a half now. I think the plecos ate him alive. I left for work last night after releasing the pleacos to their new environment. After returning home, I found the bass dead and torn up pretty good.

I think I plan to do a native tank with the plecos, 1 or 2 gar (Thinking two), a few tilapia, and whatever else I can find in the springs... All the gar I saw yesturday were about 2 feet plus... A pair of two footers should be alright in the 600 gallon right?

 

[Matthew L Moriarity]

P.S. What does wild SA/CA mean?

Also, what is a quick way to get this water cleared up? It is taking much longer than expected.

 

[zerojquan85]

Thanks for the help.

I do plan to put some exotics in there, just kinds hit the mother load like I said so I brought them all back. I will probably be keeping the big one, and one or two of the others. The other 9 I plan to get rid of.

Yes that is a dead bass, he enjoyed reign over the tank for about a week and a half now. I think the plecos ate him alive. I left for work last night after releasing the pleacos to their new environment. After returning home, I found the bass dead and torn up pretty good.

I think I plan to do a native tank with the plecos, 1 of 2 gar (Thinking two), a few tilapia, and whatever else I can find in the springs... All the gar I saw yesturday were about 2 feet plus... A pair of two footers should be alright in the 600 gallon right?

ya.. 1 or 2 gar is fine.. i think u should keep 1 or the big one.. Pleco.. and then find whatever exotic u get...

Thats an awesome tank u got.... if i had a tank of that size in my hands.. i would def add 1 or 2 Blk arowana..

 

[lb football20]

SA/CA means south american/central american. water changes are always ur best bet to clear up the water and also u need alot of filtration for that big of a tank. beautiful plecos. if i lived near u i would definitely adopt 1 or 2

 

[angelo21]

wow those are massive!