On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 00:27:59 -0400, "*muffin*"
wrote:

watching the pond last night (with the lights on in the pond)
it was fascinating watching these fish swim around.... and there was the BIG
Pl*co (which is over 10") swimming on its back,, sucking at the water
slurping in the floating fish food.

(awww he was soooo cute ...I hope we can catch him in an inopportune moment
so we can get him inside for the winter.)

I'll try to post pics.

I had to go looking for a picture of a pleco and found this
interesting.

Feeding

Plecos should not have to rely on naturally growing algae alone as
their only diet. As they mature they lose their algae eating
tendencies somewhat and must be fed a basic diet of sinking
herbivorous foods. Lettuce or zucchini strapped to a rock with a
rubber band makes a great snack for your Pleco. Dried algae tablets
can also be purchased and make a great daily food. Plecos will
generally leave plants alone providing they get enough vegetable
matter in the diet.

Water Chemistry

Hypostomus plecostomus is a very hardy species that will adapt to most
aquarium conditions. Avoid keeping the fish in extreme pH levels or
temperatures and it will usually thrive.

Breeding

Due to the adult size of these catfish, most successful breedings have
occured in ponds with steep clay or mud banks. They dig tunnels close
to the water level and the males guard the eggs until they hatch.




Hypostomus Plecostomus


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Common Name(s):
Plecostomus; Pleco; Sucker Mouth
Family:
Loricariidae
Origin:
South American rivers
Max Size:
18"
pH:
Neutral
Temp:
74-82 F.
Tank Size:
45 Gallons
Feeding:
Herbivorous