Pleco help please

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And where do you guys draw your information on size and what's normal and what isn't at which age? It sounds like an automated message saying they grow to 2 feet. Well, show me a common pleco 2 feet long?

I will say 9 inches is normal for a 3 year old common pleco providing he's a Pterygoplichthys pardalis.
They grow 2-3 inches max a year. I have a pardalis. He grew in a 100G tank well fed and that is his max per year and he's still growing steadily, now about 12inches. They don't just grow overnight. 9 inches at 3 years is pretty normal.
Now if we are talking about a gibbiceps or a hybrid with gibbiceps or some uknown large pleco hybrid, obviously, some can grow huge. But you've got to know what you have. A gibbiceps grows way faster and way bigger than a pardalis.

As for Hypostomus plecostomus, those that have fewer rays on their dorsal, they can't at all grow as big as their fame suggests. They max out at 12" in ideal conditions.

Having said that, plecos need a larger tank, the largest you can get, the better long term. They are big bulky and active fish if happy with their surroundings. They'll need the space.
 
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Here is mine there at the start of the video. 5 year old counting the 1 year I didn't own him, around 12" from nose to tail, hasn't stopped growing yet.



raubiy raubiy how old are yours on that picture?
 
It's never true that they max out at 12''. When i'm going first visited my friend i will show you proof 2 ft long fat and proud mr. Pleco ;)
2'' 3'' per year ? (never)In they first year 1'' per month.
I have 16 plecos at home ;)
My record is 16'' in around 1,3 year. But it's true. depends what are you feeding them how often and what are water conditions.
 
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I made mistake.... cm to '' :) My record grow 1.3 years to 33 cm that's 13''.
But he was purchased at around 6 cm that's 2 ''
Some grow fast some don't.
 
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What I said is that the Hypostomus plecostomus max out at 12"

Dare to show your 1.3 year 13 inch pleco? Your 4 year olds on the other thread don't look bigger than mine.
 
So here is mine 2 years ago when he was around 3

Common Pleco 3 years.jpg

And below is one of yours which you said is nearly 4. I'd say smaller than mine at 3.

untitled.png

I honestly fail to see the monster growth you are claiming
 
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It's just picture.
I will catch on of them mesure him and posted here. I have big hands :)
I know i posted thread. xD Coryloach this is geting funny. I hope i'm not wrong too much because i mesured this guys long ago. Hope i win :p
I must find measure tape and net my son stole everything 15 min :)
 
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It's diferent mesuring fish in aquarium or out of water.... :) For this picture my fish broke thermometer and 15'' TSN stung me :D
I catch same guy you posted on picture ;) He is 35 cm long that's 13.7'' Inches But is not bigest one.
20150522_131648.jpg 20150522_131614.jpg

Some grow fast some not. Your's is cool too :)
 
So that one above is 1 year old on that picture and 13.5 inches. Wow.
I only have the one pleco I can use to judge and your 4 year olds on the other thread look just around the size mine was at that age. I've seen my pleco at all sizes, angles and age up until now and I can judge pretty well how old a common pleco is on a picture. While younger, they retain their "puppy" colouration and form even when already large enough.
Your 13.5 inch above is around 1.5 inch longer than mine and has a completely different coloration. To me he doesn't look like pardalis. Can you show the pattern on his belly?
 
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