Pics of Big Chieftain

[Shellie]

He really is a beautiful fish. This one is not mine, he's my friend's fish and he is close to 20 years old! She hates him but I think he's a neat fish.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/MichelleBogart/2006_0401Image001.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/MichelleBogart/2006_0401Image005.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/MichelleBogart/2006_0401Image0006.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/MichelleBogart/2006_0401Image0007.jpg

[dog mad]

wow thats a nice fish how big is he?

[Shellie]

Its a 30 gallon tall tank if that gives you a clue.

[mr gerbil]

Nice pleco, looks a bit stunted though. He's the one with the owner who keeps him confined in the tiny tank, right?
*edit* whoops, didn't see your last post. 30gals is fairly bad for a pleco, though the worst I've seen is 2 gallons. That wasn't a happy situation...

[dog mad]

Why does she hate him

[Shellie]

Wow, is he really stunted MG?? I think he's HUGE. lol I get mad because she won't feed him veggies, she refuses to put that stuff in her tank. Its disgusting anyway, what difference would it make?? She doesn't like him because she thinks he's ugly but I think he's a cool fish. He has a lot of character. TJ named him btw, he had no name! I can't believe you can have a fish for nearly two decades and not name it!

[sisco16]

no kidding and keep it that long and not get attached i love how he has a pattern on him :)

[mr gerbil]

Well, he's grown...but he's squashed and bending around the tank a bit.

[Shellie]

Uh yeah, he's a really big fish in a 30 gal tall, he can't even turn his body around. He sucks up the side of the glass then lays down to turn. His color is washed out some, makes me wonder what would happen if I could get him some fresh food. US is really dark. I think his pattern is kinda neat, if you had a pen that worked in water you could follow the "maze". lol

[mr gerbil]

30 gallon tall?! I'm sorry, but that really does make me mad.
If she wasn't your friend, I'd suggest a pleco rescue operation. I suppose if he's survived 20 years in that enviroment, he can't be doing too badly, though. Some plecs are extremely hardy, some aren't. I was talking to someone the other day who's pleco died recently at the age of 8. 50 gallon tank.

[dillydally6]

hes huge,my pleco is only 11 inches and ive had him for about 1 year

[Shellie]

He WAS in a ten gallon tank her son gave her for transport. Its actually her son's fish but he doesn't have a big tank anymore. He's only in her 30 gal because I finally convinced her.

[dillydally6]

at least you convinced her to but him in a bigger tank.

[S t e p h]

Dats a rele kool fish!!!

[mr gerbil]

I suppose it's better than the 10gal, at least.

[dog mad]

that is to small for a pleco I feel kind of sorry for him.

[Shellie]

I know it is, I didn't mean to make anyone sad, I just wanted to show you a neat fish, even if he isn't mine. lol I wish her son would let her get rid of him, then he would get a bigger home.

[mallyrk]

Beautiful pleco... he's got a cool pattern on him. :) Poor guy to have to live in such a small tank. I'm actually suprised he's survived that long...

[Shellie]

Actually since he is so old I wonder if he would die of shock with a bigger tank! I'm jealous of her tank, it may be dirty and have a huge fish in it but its bigger than my 10 gal. :: sigh :: Although if it was mine I would definitely clean it, YUCK.

[mr gerbil]

Doesn't she clean it at all?

[Shellie]

No :( She told me if I wanted to clean tanks so bad I could clean hers. lol Um... no thanks! She thinks I clean mine too often.

[dillydally6]

Is she too lazy to clean her tank.

[Shellie]

Nah, she just doesn't think it needs it.

[dillydally6]

Sad..:( :(

[dog mad]

poor fish.

[Shellie]

On the upside I got a zucchini for my babies and Neon is going to town. lol

[mr gerbil]

Neon is going to town?

[animalmagic]

Lol.. like "Neon is going to town with the zucchini".. you know, like having a ball with it!

Wow that is a BIG fish. I have a bit of a phobia of big fish. That one's not too bad but I saw some at London Zoo at the weekend that made me go all freaky.

I wish he was in a bigger tank though! Ah well, he seems to be doing okay.. I suppose he's used to it after 20 years :D

[Shellie]

Took some pics of the babies with their zucchini. It was tough to get US, every time he saw the camera he hid!

[mr gerbil]

Oh, right, of course, lol. I had a sudden vision of Neon being carried down the street in a container. Going shopping, having a coffee, that kind of thing.

[Shellie]

ROFL Okay, now I know I am crazy but I thought you knew I was AT LEAST saner than that! Besides, they don't make clothes for fish yet. :p