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I know, I know. I've made so many stocking threads about my one tank, I've lost count of them all. However, I'm done adding fish now, except for a few minor changes. More on that later, though.

I bought an L128 pleco! We got another shipment in at the same price as last time ($31.99), though these new ones were much larger than the last batch. I wasn't going to let such a wonderful opportunity go to waste, so I bought the largest and most beautiful of the four. I don't have a picture of it yet, but it looks very similar to the fish below-


I haven't yet figured out the sex of my new fish, but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that (I think) my four inch bristlenose is beating up the six inch L128. The new plec has tears in its dorsal and caudal fins, and I don't think they were there when I bought it. If the fish are fighting each other, it is probably over the biggest 'cave' in the tank- my ship. The bristlenose claimed it as his own long ago, though the new fish likes it as well. My guess is that the BN beat off the other plec when it tried to check out the ship, slightly injuring the newcomer.

It has taken over a smaller cave for the time being, though I'm going to try and expand that, to give the fish more room. I don't have proof that it has eaten yet, though the zucchini that I set out last night near the fish's headquarters has been nibbled at. I don't think the BN was eating off of it, because he had his own slice, and he didn't even finish it. Anyways, my question is this: Will the two plecos be able to coexist, as long as I give the newcomer a large enough cave? My tank is twenty nine gallons in size, with no other Loricariids. I hope that the two will resolve their squabbles, I don't want to end up with a perpetually-irate bristlenose and a fearful L128. Are there any other problems that might arise from my keeping both in the same tank, besides making sure that they each get enough to eat? I appreciate your help.

The other 'rearrangements' that I mentioned earlier are minor, if anyone is interested. I plan to return the blue tetra that I bought last week, because it just won't leave my lemons alone. They aren't as brightly-colored as they used to be, and they won't venture out into the middle of the tank any more.
Also, I plan to adopt this lonely C. guapore from work. It has been without like company for over a month and a half, and is only a half an inch long. It will be happier in my tank than at work, and will have the opportunity to hang out with my other cories, if it chooses.

Thanks for taking the time to read my long, boring post. I hope I didn't put any non-catfish lovers to sleep.[/font]

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

First of all, I'd like to commend you on a GREAT pleco choice. The green phantom, and its color morph the blue, are among my favorite plecos, and is probably one of the longer kept of my species (about 4 years; sold them along with most of my other fish when I reduced the tank count for re-flooring).

Once your L-128 reaches it's maximum size of 8" (some sources say 6", but I've personally kept much larger specimens than that), he'll have nothing to worry about.

Seriously, though, phantoms (both morphs), are among the most peaceful of all loricariids (at least to other species), and are thusly easy targets for more robust fish such as ancistrus. Think of setting aside a good 55 gallon for this fish; a full grown phantom will NOT disappoint. Otherwise, I'd get a divider for the time being. I don't really think the aggression is anything serious, but to be safe, I'd add a plethora of smooth rockwork for the blue phantom to hide in (they prefer places where they can wedge themselves in securely--I'm surprised yours has taken a liking to large caverns).



Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 06-Mar-2005 22:35

I've read that they were very peaceful fish, and I guess I'm finding that out firsthand. I don't think the BN is targeting the L128 for fights, but he is watching the entrance to his cave very closely. I guess he is just being vigilante for the time being.

As for the 'cave' that the new plec has adopted, it isn't a very large one. It barely fits in there length-wise, and has only an inch of space above its dorsal fin (when folded). I was planning to dig out the gravel from underneath to give the fish more room, but I guess I'll leave it now. I read that they like vertical rockwork- Would a fairly tall sculpture with crevices in it work? If the fish likes to feel safe and secure on all sides, that is its concern. However, I don't want to spend money on a decoration that goes unused.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Congrats
Very nice L-128 you got there

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

I'd assume vertical rockwork would be appreciated; mine would wedge themselves between the side of the tank and the UGF output pipe.

Very Nice! I am in the hunt for a new pleco. I have not yet decided on what I want to purchase. Hopefully a smaller breed since my last plec just died and he was over 18 inches long. He ate up a ton stocking space.

FreeBlaze