I was just reading Robyn's page about her Pleco. I was recently given a 8 inch Pleco- rather I adopted him instead of having someone I know threaten to flush him since they were moving. Anyways I was especially interested about the part where she talked about her Pleco and her Apple Snail having a little tussle. I have noticed our snail and pleco (now named Sharkfin) get into it a couple of times. The last time though it was because the pleco was cleaning the snail's shell! The snail let out a bunch of bubbles trying to tell him to lay off, but Sharkfin wasn't listening. Although I feel bad for the snail, at least now he has a much cleaner shell! Usually they get along just fine. Sometimes the snail will be crawling along and if Sharkfin is all splayed out on the bottom he'll try to fight him with all his fins out, rather than move to let him by.

One thing I have been wondering though- our pleco is usually awake and active all day long. Everyone keeps telling me they are nocturnal, but I have never seen ours sleep during the day!

Plecos are mostly nocturnal but not always. It's more of an individual thing. Some plecos are more nocturnal while others seem more diurnal (day) or crepuscular (dawn and dusk). Mine sleeps most of the day but sometimes moves. I think younger plecos spend more time out during the day than older ones. It may also depend on what other animals are in the tank. If those animals pester the pleco during the day, he couldn't sleep well for example.

Hi: I also have a large pleco named G-Man who is often out all day doing his 'cleaning'. He is very active, but also content. The other fish is not much of a bother to him. However, I got another pleco for my smaller tank, who is younger, and he tends to hide all day and enjooy his feasting at night. Different personalities perhaps?

I have a 6 inch Pleco and he used to hide during the day. With-in the last 2 months, he is out swimming about. I'm not sure whats going on with his new sleeping habits, but I love to watch him.....soo graceful!

My 7' common pleco only comes out when the light is on in the tank B) . He's super active & my dog loves chasing him across the tank. What a freak :rolleyes: ! I have the pleco in a 20 gallon w/4 paradise fish (mom & dad, 6 month old daughter & 8 month albino female) & 3 snails (adult & 2 of it's babies). We named the pleco Gus.
I used to have a pleco (marble sailfin) that would go to the top of the tank & turn itself upside-down & eaqt the goldfish food. It was the craziest thing to watch :blink: . I also have a friend who has one as big as her arm in her pond. It winters there & she says as far as she can tell it doesn't bother her koi.
It just depends on their personality & their environment I think as to when they're most active & to what degree.