Pleco breeding ?

[Shell Dweller]

Hi guys; I put 3 albino BNP and 3 Silver tips all about an inch in size approx 3 to 4 months ago in my 150 gallon tank. They are now about 2 to 2 1/2 inches in length. I also have a 3 to 4 inch butterfly pleco and a 6 inch plain pleco. Just as I dropped some zuchinni into the tank a few minutes ago along came what looks to be a silver tip about 1 inch long. Is it possible that my plecos are breeding? Surely if this was one of the original 1 inch plecos he would have grown bigger than what he was originally by now? Any thoughts.

[CRS Fan]

It is highly unlikely that you have sexually mature BNP's at this young age. They can take about a year or so to mature.

I highly suspect that you have a runt in the mix and its growth is substantially slower because of it.

Best Regards,

Stuart

[Shell Dweller]

Your probably right Stuart, but it just seemed strange that it had not grown at all from when I first put it in the tank 3 months ago. Thanks for your insight, Chuck