Bristlenose Plec with Shubunkins????

[smidge]

Hi,

I just wanted to check if it is ok to get a Bristlenose Plec with 2 Shubunkins.

I would like this kind as recommended for its Algae eating!

I have a 50Gallon coldwater tank that has been operating for about 6 months.

Thanks

 

[Bloo]

mmmm can't really see that working as you'd really need a heated tank for the Bristlenose. They would ideally require a temperature of around 78.

 

[jenbo100]

If you wanted an algae eater a common pleco would be fine in coldwater as long as it's not too cold, room temperature would be fine for it. The only thing is if you get it from a shop where they're being kept in a tropical tank, you'll need to make sure you float the bag in the water for as long as it takes for the temperature to match. A temperature change of 3 degrees can be fatal!

 

[Bloo]

jenbo, please also add that a common plec reaches up to 20" - and is also a very heavy waste producer. So filtration will have to be absolutely amazingly overfiltrated and there will have to be a spare 20 odd gallons of water available for that fish (in a large tank).

 

[smidge]

OK Thanks

Sounds like I'll have to think of something else to sort out the Algae problem.
I think it may get too big for the tank.

 

[Bloo]

Why don't you post over in the planted section - those guys can probably help you out with the algae problem

 

[The-Wolf]

the only true coldwater algae eater is the
hillstream loach Beaufortia kweichowensis a.k.a hong kong pleco a.k.a
butterfly loach a.k.a butterfly pleco a.k.a chinese pleco
or other hillstream loaches of the Gastromyzon species.

 

[emma12321]

Hi Smidge,

Why not try apple snails they do a good job on algae, only try this if the snails are bigger than your fishes mouths though as large fish might choke on them. Apple snails come in loads of different colours too so in a tank that size you could get a nice assortment.

Emma

 

[debiasir]

never realised the hongkong pleco eat algea.

Cheers The_wolf

 

[smidge]

Someone mentioned a Garra Pingi Pingi. They have one in there coldwater tank.

Do you think this be ok?

 

[The-Wolf]

Someone mentioned a Garra Pingi Pingi. They have one in there coldwater tank.

Do you think this be ok?

[snapback]845991[/snapback]​

It is reported to eat algae but that is probably is opptomistic
based on them eating algea wafers.
I doubt they would make any significant impact on algae

 

[smidge]

Hi,

I got my tank size mixed up. It is 58Litres (12UK or 14US gallons). )
Would an apple snail be ok in this with 2 shubunkins?
The fish are only about 4cms body length.

Either that or my LPS and someone on this site mentioned a Hillstream Loach.
The ones at my LPS grow to max of about 5cms.

Thx

 

[@ombomb]

I wouldn't think Hillstream Loaches would be a good idea with Shubunkins, they like very clean, fast moving water.