What to do with an "accidental" Gibbiceps

Two years ago, as a relatively new aquarist, I picked up what was sold to me as a "Red Plecostomus." It was just 4 cm at the time, and I thought it was the perfect addition to my tank. Fast forward to today, I’ve realized it’s actually a Gibbiceps Pleco, and it’s grown into a stunning centerpiece in my 360L community tank.

It’s far from outgrowing its current aquarium, so I’m not worried about its size right now. But I know that in the future, it’ll need a bigger setup to accommodate its full potential. This realization has me thinking about whether I should eventually create a new tank dedicated to it and my other predatory fish or just keep making adjustments to the current one as time goes on.

Why change:

Filter Maintenance: Its bioload is substantial, and while manageable, it does mean cleaning the filter more often than I’d like.

Aquascape: To really suit its needs long-term, I’d need to rethink the current aquascape, which I’d rather keep open and balanced for the other species in the tank.

Future-Proofing: I know I’ll need to upgrade or add another tank in the future as it grows, and pairing it with my other predatory fish could be a natural progression.

This pleco has been part of my aquarium journey since day one, and watching it grow from 4 cm to its current size has been incredibly rewarding.

Its striking patterns and presence make it a true showstopper, and imagining my current tank without it feels strange.

I’m not considering rehoming it—it’s staying with me no matter what. But I’d love to hear from others who’ve had Gibbiceps(s):

Did you eventually create a separate setup for it, or did you adjust your main tank over time?

Any tips for balancing its needs with those of a community tank while keeping maintenance manageable?

(Photos of the tank attached for context!) Thanks for your advice and for letting me share!