Complete Newbie, Please help with ID

[sdleigh]

Hi Everyone,

I am a complete newbie to fish keeping.

I bought a Fish tank and the owner didnt tell me it already came with fish, one of these is a 'Albino' Pleco, well thats what she called it.

I have been reading up on them and they facinate me; never heard of them before last Thursday.

However, could someone please help me I.D this Pleco, and maybe sex if possible from my photos. It is currently about 11" - 12". and the lady who gave it me said it is old, but she got it from someone before me.

Im captivated by it and i want to know how to care for it properly and let it be happy.

Please some one help, thank you

Let me know if you need more photos.

 

[bigbird]

stunning fish indeed. need shot from above if possible...cheers jk

 

[Stan]

Pterygoplichthys pardalis or Common pleco sometimes called Chocolate albino variation. I have one which i adore! he never hides, has a monsterous apatite and is a poo machine!!

Here is the link for Plecoplanet: http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1624

here is a pic of mine from a while back for comparison

 

[sdleigh]

Yup, that look identical to the one i have, been reading up on it, and im going to do my best by it. Yes i have noticed the poo thing! :S what would you suggest i feed it? i have them algae tablet things that i had given with the fish, and the link said mushrooms, but is there anything that they thrive on? treats, best thing to live on etc.?

Thank you for helping!

 

[FF MkII]

A Good quality algae wafer and Tetra prima and some fresh veggies now and again and you should have no problem....Maybe a prawn as a special treat once a month.