Need advice on requirements of keeping Royal Pleco

[cyclops]

Have a second hand 2 and a half feet tank and thinking of having a pleco tank. Can someone help on what is the temperature and water requirements for royal pleco as i am putting the tank in my aircon room. Thanks.

(Edit: cyclops, your sighting request has been split to this thread, http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=39703)

[Freshman]

Food-wise, feed them with Hikari carnivores sinking tablets. They love it like we humans love sharkfins.

I disagree.
They love it doesn't mean it is the right diet for royal pleco.

I will stick to a wood/veggie diet for my royal pleco.

[iwishweallcouldwin]

hikari algae wafers would be more advisable for royals, go slow on the meat.

[Freshman]

IMO Responsible pleco keepers should read up widely and be well informed on their dietary requirement before getting one.

Especially so for royal pleco as wood is essential for good health. I have friends who kept royal for years solely on wood diet.

[Shaihulud]

I read from this months TFH that 50%of its stomach content is mulm or dirt, 25% woody, 14% vegetable matter and a smaller percentage arthropods. Never grew one to a big size, but they are terrors in the tank, attacked my bichirs mercilessly.

[Savant]

So feed dirt? hehe

They are really nice, although the potential to grow really large scares me... I have seen nice cute ones in the LFS these days, probably means that someone is breeding them at home!!

[Shaihulud]

Mulm are supposed a rich source of infusoria, although I personally know! Just feed it with algae wafers and vegetables, with a driftwood for it to graze on. I would love to keep them, but their lifestyle is too different for me to keep them with other fishes, maybe a dedicated tank.

[joeyttk]

can I keep them with tiger barb ? will their fins be in danger of being nipped ?

[iwishweallcouldwin]

my tiger barb seems fine. so do my plecos.

[Savant]

I sincerely doubt that the tiger barb will bother your royals given the disparity in size and dwelling habits!

[michael lai]

Have a second hand 2 and a half feet tank and thinking of having a pleco tank. Can someone help on what is the temperature and water requirements for royal pleco as i am putting the tank in my aircon room. Thanks.

(Edit: cyclops, your sighting request has been split to this thread, http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=39703)

I think our ambient temperature is just about right, never hear any major complains from other hobbyists. As for water, good cleaning flowing water they poo alot. Some have highlighted PH an area which royals do poorly if it fluctuates too much, you might want to look at that. There are 2 schools, some use coral chips and some use peat as buffer. Personally no difference, have fun....
PS: please don't use the 2 together, refer to posts 6 please read.