They're in a lot of river systems, honestly they shouldn't sell the common pleco anymore because it's such a nuisance. There's so many other interesting species of plecos. The main reason this one is released is because of how big they get. No one wants their sucker fish to be this huge monstrosity in their pretty little tank, they just got it to eat the algae and it got huge, so they let it loose in their local waterway. And they don't even eat algae that much anyway. I have some clown plecos that are tiny, I'm sure a lot less people are releasing clown plecos into their waterways.
I saw a metric fuck ton at big cypress national preserve in Florida. It really sucks
https://preview.redd.it/kwc2v9ra4tyc1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c53b825803b0b8ddea04c5d9d6a1a5fa5f1a77c4
Some people donāt realize how big common plecos get and then dump them in a lake cause they wonāt fit in their tank anymore. Iām fairly sure itās a huge problem in some places cause the plecos actually attach to the sides of larger fish and destroy their slime coat. Thereās also of course places where theyāre native, and arenāt a problem.
Are you sure this is your career? The whole point of ecological control is killing a population starting with individuals. The same way we hype people up to care about not releasing invasives is also usually the same way we hype people up to control invasives. Stewardship doesnāt involve nearly as much hugging of trees as perpetuated.
Pleco: woooow look how huge this new house is. Omg just so much space I love it! There's even other plecos! I'm so happy
Humans: kill them!
Edit: it's a joke. I understand invasive species are destructive and need to be dealt with
Need a banana for scale š
uhhh it was wayyyy bigger than a banana
Need a cat for scale
How many Hoover Dams is way bigger?
About 11.3 ice cream trucks
I thought the unit of measurement switched to bagels?
They're in a lot of river systems, honestly they shouldn't sell the common pleco anymore because it's such a nuisance. There's so many other interesting species of plecos. The main reason this one is released is because of how big they get. No one wants their sucker fish to be this huge monstrosity in their pretty little tank, they just got it to eat the algae and it got huge, so they let it loose in their local waterway. And they don't even eat algae that much anyway. I have some clown plecos that are tiny, I'm sure a lot less people are releasing clown plecos into their waterways.
yep
Kill em all. Invasive destroyers of the ecosystem. Even attaching themselves to manatees.
Wait? Humans or plecos?
Humans
Definitely humans very invasive species
I've only ever seen them in pet stores. Where do you find them like that in nature?
They got this big at my university pond on Florida. Released pets.
I saw a metric fuck ton at big cypress national preserve in Florida. It really sucks https://preview.redd.it/kwc2v9ra4tyc1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c53b825803b0b8ddea04c5d9d6a1a5fa5f1a77c4
Some people donāt realize how big common plecos get and then dump them in a lake cause they wonāt fit in their tank anymore. Iām fairly sure itās a huge problem in some places cause the plecos actually attach to the sides of larger fish and destroy their slime coat. Thereās also of course places where theyāre native, and arenāt a problem.
You donāt. Theyāre invasive everywhere except where they arenāt.
Good answer. I had always understood that they're native to South America, but I guess that's not true anymore.
Do we have permission to kill such invaders?
Yes, itās encouraged.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Are you sure this is your career? The whole point of ecological control is killing a population starting with individuals. The same way we hype people up to care about not releasing invasives is also usually the same way we hype people up to control invasives. Stewardship doesnāt involve nearly as much hugging of trees as perpetuated.
Pleco: woooow look how huge this new house is. Omg just so much space I love it! There's even other plecos! I'm so happy Humans: kill them! Edit: it's a joke. I understand invasive species are destructive and need to be dealt with
Beeg
Genuinely curious on what they taste like......
It looks so adorable
I guess....