How Many Plecos?

[Corrine]

Hello.. I have mentioned this in another thread and got a few ideas so sorry if you've read it ..

My tank is a Juwel Rio 180 (39" x 16" x 19")

I like the following...

Hypancistrus sp. (L201)
Leopard frog pleco (L134)
Albino pleco
Lemon ancistrus (L144)

Any comments on how many plecos are suitable for my tank and what combination ?

Thanks

 

[juggernuts]

Hi Corinne,

Id say personally it has to be out of the l134 and l201. I myself have 8 L134 in a 4ft community and they are beautiful!

If your going to keep l134's, as long as you have a few more caves than you do fish, they should be fine. I have lots of slate caves along with big pieces of purple slate for them to hide inbetween aswell as a few pieces of bogwood.

They are very peaceful IMO and a trio would be more than fine in your tank, leaving enough room for other fish too.

Id suggest also to venture away from cory's and loach's and if you got a good ratio in your l134's, chances are they may breed. Not saying its a given but a good chance if you get a nice mixed bunch.

If you do go for them Id try and source a couple from different place's which isnt really too hard, just to keep bloodlines mixed up.


Here is a picture of my l134's and setup

If you get the l134's, which it appears im trying to make you do lol, then hit me up for any advice if your not sure. Ive kept them for a few years now thats all

Paul

 

[Corrine]

Thanks for all your info/advice.. I've definately got my heart set on them (L134) they're my favourite !! Would you suggest only keeping one type of pleco, or could i mix more than one type lol. (edit- reason being.. the lemon/albino type colours would really stand out on my black substrate)

Im not planning on keeping any other bottom dwellers . So do you think a trio of plecs is maximum number for this size of tank?

Your set up is really nice.. I started up another thread for DIY cave ideas as i'm planning a lot of caves hehe.. looks cool

Thanks for all your advice

 

[juggernuts]

Erm well you can mix them, but Im not sure of the temperament of the others. Ive heard mixed reports about mixing but Id say personally a pair of Lemons should be absolutely fine!

Again, as long as you keep enough hidey holes for them, and if your planning on lots of caves then they would be fine.

I had at one stage about a month ago, 11 adult l134s, 2 baby l134s and 5 baby l270's! they all got along great never once seen them argueing.

Id add the group of l134's then leave them for a week or so and then just try a couple of lemons

DIY caves are easy enough, the best and cheapest is probably the coconut caves, its what about 50p for a coconut and if you saw it clean in half, you have two perfect caves. Add a bit of moss to the top and off ya go!

OFF to spend a hour cleaning my tank now wooohooo!

 

[Corrine]

Erm well you can mix them, but Im not sure of the temperament of the others. Ive heard mixed reports about mixing but Id say personally a pair of Lemons should be absolutely fine!

Again, as long as you keep enough hidey holes for them, and if your planning on lots of caves then they would be fine.

I had at one stage about a month ago, 11 adult l134s, 2 baby l134s and 5 baby l270's! they all got along great never once seen them argueing.

Id add the group of l134's then leave them for a week or so and then just try a couple of lemons

DIY caves are easy enough, the best and cheapest is probably the coconut caves, its what about 50p for a coconut and if you saw it clean in half, you have two perfect caves. Add a bit of moss to the top and off ya go!

OFF to spend a hour cleaning my tank now wooohooo!

Hope you had fun cleaning your tank

Okay so i s'pose its trial and error, to see if they get along ! I've got some coconut caves covered in gravel that looks cool and i think i'll cover a few in moss now too thanks!

So would 2 Lemons and 3-4 L134's be okay in my 180l (size wise, i'll obviously keep an eye on temperment etc)