Basic Plec Help

[james_fish]

I'm considering buying a Pleco, whats the basic help like food, preffered pH levels, Wether they are okay with other fish & how many are recomended in a tank. Any other information would be much appreciated.

James

 

[Curiosity101]

What size is the tank?

What are the tank mates?

The answer to those two questions will let us tell you what plecos (if any) are suitable for your tank. Then you can be given advice for that specific fish as it isn't the same for all of them.

 

[emma12321]

Hi

Have a look on www.planetcatfish.com in the catalogue section there are hundreds of plecs to choose from, not all eat algae some prefer a meaty diet, a good cheap starter fish are bristlenose plecs and they can be kept in groups depending how big the tank is they are also easy to breed. Avoid the cheap ones in the shops without first doing some research as they are usually common plecs which can grow to 18" or gibbys which grow to 2 feet long. My favourite from the ones i have now are L200 (green phantom) and L066 (king tiger).

Emma

 

[james_fish]

Curiosity

My tank is a 60 litre Biorb life, They have a relatively small floor space. So a smaller Pleco will be better.

My tank mates are Neon Tetras, Glowlight Tetras, Silvertip Tetras & Dalmation Mollys.


Hi Emma, Thanks, I'll have a route around the site. Thanks for the advice.

James

 

[Curiosity101]

Ah, you've not really got enough floor space for a plec to be honest...
At the most you could maybe squeeze in a pitbull plec

But slightly more appropriate alternatives...some ottos? Or some pygmy corydoras?

 

[james_fish]

Oh, well i'd rather know that than put a fish in stress

What are loaches like for cleaning the bottom of the tank?

I will also look into the suggestions you made.

James

 

[Curiosity101]

You shouldn't get a fish for cleaning the bottom of your tank. The food you feed shouldn't be resting on the bottom (and if it was the answer isn't more fish, it's less food).

And the poop should be being syphoned weekly.

So for that reason I'd say no fish can be commented on for how they 'clean the bottom of the tank'

Also the only loaches for your tank are maybe Kuhli loach, I personally wouldn't put them in your tank considering it's footprint...but I've seen people keeping them in tanks with a similar footprint. So they may be an option for you.
They really benefit from a sand substrate though, as do corydoras.

 

[james_fish]

Okay.

I worded it wrong, i should of said 'bottom feeding' rather than 'bottom cleaning'

Thanks for your help

James

 

[Curiosity101]

Ah right, fair enough.

Well bottomfeeder wise your tank has a very small footprint which is the problem.

I'd go for pygmy corydoras or a small group of ottos (though with ottos you need to supplement their diet).
Plus there are snails, and shrimp you could have?

Or at a push kuhli loach or a pitbull plec.

 

[james_fish]

Cool, I'll look into the options you have kindly suggested.

Hopefully i will make the right decision. =)

James

 

[kiriyama]

Recommend corydoras , pygmy ones would be good in a small tank , very cute and playful , peacefuk and fun to watch , you won't be dissapointed..........................