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	Snowball pleco purchase a mistake?
wonder woman Fish Addict Posts: 545 Kudos: 279 Votes: 0 Registered: 07-Aug-2003	I just bought a snowball pleco for my 100g planted tank, with the assurance from a clerk I trust at my lfs that he won't eat my plants. And I just read on Planet Catfish that they should not be kept with plants! Has anyone had experience with snowballs eating plants, or will I be okay?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	If you are talking about the L102 snowball, then Planet Catfish was right. They do tend to either eat or destroy plants. It would be best if you returned the fish, and bought a bristlenose or something. They are gentle in their treatment of plants, I believe. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
wonder woman Fish Addict Posts: 545 Kudos: 279 Votes: 0 Registered: 07-Aug-2003	I'm pretty sure he's a snowball, unless there's another pleco that looks exactly like (or very similar to) it. I'm going to be really annoyed if he ends up being a plant eater! But the only thing he's done so far is hang on the glass. Last edited by Lindy at 09-Dec-2004 21:19
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
fish1 Banned Posts: 1727 Kudos: 1910 Votes: 58 Registered: 09-May-2004	I would go ahead and take him out there if i were you i wouldnt risk my planted 100gallon tank i agree with nick get a bn which will only eat dieing plants at the most.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Natalie Ultimate Fish Guru Apolay Wayyioy Posts: 4499 Kudos: 3730 Votes: 348 Registered: 01-Feb-2003	Try giving him plenty of veggies and live foods (most plecos love live brine shrimp/tubifex), and then he shouldn't bother your plants. I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Never had this kind of problem in our LFS tank. I haven't kept the species at the home aquarium, but we had one in the display tank for at least two weeks (planted---the price of the bugg3er probably drove off potential buyers--60 bucks for a four inch fish), without it touching anything. I wouldn't be very worried, either, as hypancistrus species tend to subside on meaty foods [hence the small, roughly tounged (or rather, toothed)], mouth.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Shannen Banned Posts: 1160 Kudos: 1686 Votes: 98 Registered: 17-Feb-2004	I second what Cory and CupO said. Keep him fed and he should not show interest in your plants. Furthermore he is more of a meat eater than anything else, but will prob munch on plants if he is very hungry. I had one for about a month before ich took him out, apparently plecos are kinda sensitive when young. He never ever touched any of my plants. I would just keep an eye on things. If he starts munching and you "know" he is well fed then remove him. Last edited by . at 07-Dec-2004 10:21
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
wonder woman Fish Addict Posts: 545 Kudos: 279 Votes: 0 Registered: 07-Aug-2003	So far, all he's done is hang on the glass. I've gotten to know his belly and mouth are very well. I haven't even seen him move to eat, although I've fed my fish once a day, sometimes with live blackworms. Should I worry that he's not more active?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Cup_of_Lifenoodles Fish Guru Posts: 2755 Kudos: 1957 Votes: 30 Registered: 09-Sep-2004	Not at all--they aren't a particularly active species. Although, make sure his belly is convex (rounded outwards) or at elast flat. Sunken in bellies in loricariids is usually a sign of emaciation (resulting from transporting habits) and the fish may starve itself until it dies of lack of sustinance.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05


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