Bulldog Pleco And Cory's

[KAISER]

Hey everyone,

After lots of research on the smaller plecs, I'm thinking of going with the bulldog and around six Julii cories. I did want pitbull plecs originally, but I cant seem to find them anywhere.

My tank is 125 litres with sand substrate and plants, a couple of rocks and slate caves. I have a nice piece of bogwood in there too. I'm using the supplied U3 internal filter, although considering upgrading to an external one at christmas maybe.

At the moment I have four adult platies and lots of fry which will go to the LFS when old enough. Future tank mates may include a dwarf gourami and a shoal of rummynose tetra.

So, can anyone see any potential problems? My first concern is, will the bottom dwellers get along?

Thanks

 

[Wills]

Hi it will be fine bulldog plecs are not aggressive and are actually sometimes gregarious, so a trio might work well as well Do you know the scientific name of the fish your store has in or the L number? As size and behaviour differs between very similar looking fish.

Wills

 

[KAISER]

No I dont I'm afraid. They (Dobbies) dont actually have one in at the moment, but have new fish coming in this weekend. They had bulldogs a few weeks ago so I know they can source them. That is of course, as long as they id them correctly.
One other thing I read, the bulldogs prefer gravel? I hope its not essential?

 

[mattlee]

corys prefer cooler water so with rummynose tetras it may be hard to find a happy medium for the 2 species. if the rummys and other fish can live happy at 25 degrees then i cant see a problem with compatability, i wouldnt want to keep corys at a higher temp than this.

 

[Wills]

Sterbai cories can handle higher temps I think? They are common discus tank mates? Might need a bit of research on that.

Also with the gravel for the plecs, sand is more important for the cories so I wouldnt worry just provide some large flat cobbles for the plecs and they will be happy. While we have some sun a good idea is to put rocks in water in a container and put them outside and green algae will grow over the rocks like moss and put it in the tank and the plecs will be sucking the rocks for weeks and it will mean they are out more often as well

Wills

 

[KAISER]

Ok, thanks guys
I will have a look at sterbai's at the weekend, if they have any. Although, I dont think the bulldog likes it hot either! Should be ok around 24 or 25c I think.
Nice tip with the algae there too, Wills! I have a lot growing over my rocks and slate for now, but will keep it mind in case I need to grow some in the future!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

From what I've read , Chaetostoma (Bulldog plecs) species need low temps and reasonably high water current, which together give high oxygen levels in the water. From a setup point of view, everything is looking good for them in my Rio 240 with an Eheim 2078, but I'm a little wary about...

• My tank has only been mature since early May. While corys aften need 6 weeks old setups, I'm worries it may be a bit early to add a delicate plec to my setup.
• They do not appear to be an easy plec to care for, due to their specialist needs around water temp/current/oxygen levels.
• Only buying a single speciemn if Wills is right about them being social and therfore needing say a trio.

 

[Wills]

From what I've read , Chaetostoma (Bulldog plecs) species need low temps and reasonably high water current, which together give high oxygen levels in the water. From a setup point of view, everything is looking good for them in my Rio 240 with an Eheim 2078, but I'm a little wary about...

• My tank has only been mature since early May. While corys aften need 6 weeks old setups, I'm worries it may be a bit early to add a delicate plec to my setup.
• They do not appear to be an easy plec to care for, due to their specialist needs around water temp/current/oxygen levels.
• Only buying a single speciemn if Wills is right about them being social and therfore needing say a trio.

Bulldog plecs are not that delicate really, some plecs are dont get me wrong but I wouldnt class these into that group. They are often easy to feed, accepting easy foods and as far as being susceptible to poor water in a tank fishlessly cycled its not something to worry about IMO, if your keeping up with weekly maintenance I cant see there being a problem

Often when people talk about a mature tank its on a few levels and often based on someone starting a fish in cycle but not knowing what a cycle is. One of the levels I was on about was knowledge and as Ive said before Goat the levels of research you have done I think has put you into the hobby beyond your time with fish and your going to know if something goes wrong.

Wills

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Well, having just made it to Aquajardin before closing time, after doing some delivery overtime and then spending 40 minutes of my own time correcting a "Recorded Signed For" letter that went missing after a failed delivery (turns out I actaully handed it back unknowingly to section that deals with these items, so then I went out and delivered it before starting my long weekend!)...

I held back on the Chaetostomas for now, plus what turned out to be just three remaining "Giant Otos." I shall give my tank a little more time to mature, not to mention evaluating how much more fish can go in this Rio 240 before I risk overstocking.

However, I did come back with a certain six fish that have been my planned centrepiece fish all along for the stream current setup, the Humphead Glassfish!

Thay are just coming upto 15 minutes into acclimitisation (one bag of 3 on line drip, other 3 getting ~20ml of pippetted water every 15 mins or so).

Edit: I'm flattered by your complement Wills, I still have a lot to learn. My so called limited knowledge is from readings webpages, but absolutely anyone can write anything on the "interweb." Actual fish keeping experience is priceless, which my 3 months of keeping might be worth 2p on a good day!

 

[KAISER]

What strange little fellows those glass fish are Goat, just googled them for a look!
It would seem I'm not as patient as you are, I went to my LFS and they had just restocked. So I got the Bulldog (hopefully) and two Julii's (probably Trilineatus). Heres some pics if you all would like to help me id them?

So what do you think?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

They look lovely!

However, considering there are at least 40 species of Chaetostoma Plecs and rather a lot of similar looking Corys, I'm going to sit on the fence on this one, at least for this evening!

Even though I am keeping the T5 lighting off on my Rio240 (manager of Aquajaradin suggeststed this, as they can get skittish in new conditions, even saw them move like bullets when Sam was trying to catch them), I've just been enjoying the Parambassis gracefully move around the tank, even eating a bit of the (late) evening feed for everyone else!

 

[KAISER]

Thanks!

Can anyone else help me id them?