GREAT algae eater!

[Valkyrie]

I recently bought a small rubber-lipped plecostomus for my algae-coated 40 gallon tank (the only side you could see through was the front). It's an ugly little devil, but I got him pretty cheap, he only gets 5 inches in length when fully grown, and scoured the walls of the entire aquarium clean in a matter of just a couple weeks. I must admit, I don't think I own any fish that's uglier, but I'm beginning (wait...did I say beginning?) to really adore the little guy.

The problem?

Well, lately he's been working on some of my plastic aquarium ornaments, and he might be doing TOO good a job. I don't know how he's managing it because the decorations were made specifically for aquariums, but he appears to actually be rasping off a bit of the paint along with algae. I'm worried he might get sick from it. It's not like I don't feed him enough; I put in a few algae wafers for him and my other bottom feeders every night when the lights go out, and there should be plenty if he wants it. I haven't seen him for a while, but what with the considerable amount of algae that still disappears from the tank every night, he appears to be alive and well so far. Nevertheless, I can't help but be concerned about him...I definitely do NOT want to lose this guy!!!!

Should I be worried, or am I losing sleep over nothing?

Anybody got suggestions/advice/etc?

 

[JEFFR259]

Well, first ditch the fake plants with paint on them. Not needed. There more advanced, safer, more real looking fake plants on the market that look super. Look for the fabric ones

The Pleco should be ok. They are a little tougher to read as far as health because they don't tend to swim as much, and that doesnt allow body motion and overall "alertness" to be read. But, I don't think he'll be harmed from the paint.

Throw a couple wafers in everyonce in a while ( daily is overkill ). He'll find the algae. Most of mine actually learned to find Spirulina flake when I'm feeding it.

Overall, the Pleco ( most common ones, there are actually very expensive, delicate, beautiful ones out there ) are hardy, friendly and DO do a great job at housekeeping.

 

[Valkyrie]

They're not plants, actually...there's two decorations--one is mangrove-stump-looking-thing which is home to one of my upside-down catfish and the other looks like a rock with a huge turkeytail fungus growing on it and is home to my trio of Kuhli loaches. I'm very hesitant about removing them because of my other bottom feeders--namely the upside-down catfish and the kuhli loaches--who would end up being homeless. They've claimed those decorations as their lairs for years now, and they'd be a long time in forgiving me if I took them away now. That's where my problem lies.

Algae wafers...necessary every night, actually, because I have quite an assortment of bottom feeders. I seem to be drawn to them. I have more bottom feeders than just regular fish--Kuhli loaches, 2 clown loaches, upside-down catfish, corydoras catfish...and the plecostomus. Plus the other fish I do have are pretty voracious, so not a huge amount of food gets leftover for the guys down below during feeding time.

I hope the paint won't hurt the pleco. Maybe it's non-toxic.

 

[bunjiweb]

I think you'd be surprised at how willing they would be for adopting a couple of small pieces of bogwood, or simply a pile of pieces of slate.

I wouldnt trust anything that is painted in my aquarium, it just doesnt make sense, and anyway, a piece of wood or rock looks much better than any artificial rubbish.

Ben