I Have A Few Choices, But No Experience.

[KrystaK]

I was at my local LFS today looking at all the bottom feeders they have, I've only every had Cory's but I was hoping to get something else.
I have a 30 gal (36x18x12) in tank with sand substrate and live plants. I've updated my tank since the picture in my sig. was taken.
the local LFS stocks:
Clown Loach's
Black Kuhli Loach's
Otocinclus (Didn't see any in the tank but they have the tag up)
Bristle Nose Pleco (Again, saw the sign, no fish)
Plecostomus
Rubber Lipped Pleco (Have it on the site, but didn't see a sign or any fish in the store)
Algae Eaters (Thats what they are labeled as, I have no idea what they're actually called)

They had others but I cant remember what they were, just variations of the list above. I was wondering which would be happiest in my tank, I was hoping for one that got to about 4-6 inches long, maybe a bit bigger, but I don't want it to get to like 24 inches, I feel like that's a bit big for my tank So, opinions

 

[KittyKat]

I do recommend that you at least Google for the species before asking, you should have quickly found (probably from the first result) that clown loaches are not suitable because they grow to 16", common plecos grow up to 24" (depending on exact species) and that there is a lot of confusion about algae eaters (as there are 100s of species sold under that name).

* black kuhli loaches - ok for the tank, keep in groups of 6+, I'd probably consider 10 ideal, as they will be shy in small groups
* otos - ok, can be sensitive to water quality, do best in groups of 6+
* bristlenose pleco - ok if it is one of the common species or hybrids (some of the rare ones can be problematic), 1m 2f would probably work if you offered 4-5 caves, but more than 1 male would NOT work
* rubber lipped pleco - what species is this? L402? If it is a bulldog pleco, then 1 would probably be ok, 1m 2f might work, but you'd need to know how to sex them
* algae eaters - generally, anything with this label should be avoided like the plague, and for that matter, I would avoid any shop that labels fish with this name, most likely, it is a Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, which is one mean fish that is not suitable for smaller tanks

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Clown Loach's Can grow to about 30cm/12in and more, social fish
Black Kuhli Loach's Social fish, grow to about 10cm/4in, prefer low lighting otherwise may become nocturnal
Otocinclus The biggest species (O. Flexilis) grow to about 15cm/5.5, social fish
Bristle Nose Pleco Grow to about 12cm/5.5 inches, males need to be kept alone or with a female since they get territorial in their later years
Plecostomus A common pleco will grow to about 60cm/24in and need to be kept alone in a huge tank.
Rubber Lipped Pleco Grow to about 17cm/7in, see Bristlenose Pleco
(Chinese?) Algae Eaters Have been known to grow up to 28cm/11 inches (G. Aymonieri), these fish can sometimes latch onto other fish to eat their 'slime coat' and will end up injuring the fish, CAEs will get VERY territorial in their later years.

See above.

 

[KrystaK]

Thanks maybe I';; just stock up on Cory's I know about them and enjoy them very much though Kuhli loaches may be an option for the future, thanks

 

[tomtomtom1230]

If it's of any use, I really enjoy my Bristlenose pleco and he certainly enjoys my aquarium and cucumbers... Not so much courgettes like normal plecos... Trust me to get the one that's the fussy eater... If you get one, they'll need some sort of wood to rasp/graze on. Most wood will do provided it's been soaked. I use Mopani wood in my tank. Although they can grow up to 5.5 inches, most don't. Most will grow to be 3-4 inches. Although they do get territorial, it'll only be with their own kind or other bottom feeders. This is never aggression and the pleco won't pursue a fish, just chase them off. I keep my BN Pleco in with 5 cories. I have a 26.5ish (80cm L x 40cm W x 45cm H maybe?) gallon tank. I've had no issues. I got the pleco form a breeder when he was a month old and big enough to fend for himself. They like caves and all sorts of nooks and crannies, mine particularly likes the wedge himself behind the heater >_> Again, no issues yet but he'll learn.

 

[Wills]

Clown Loach's Can grow to about 30cm/12in and more, social fish
Black Kuhli Loach's Social fish, grow to about 10cm/4in, prefer low lighting otherwise may become nocturnal
Otocinclus The biggest species (O. Flexilis) grow to about 15cm/5.5, social fish
Bristle Nose Pleco Grow to about 12cm/5.5 inches, males need to be kept alone or with a female since they get territorial in their later years
Plecostomus A common pleco will grow to about 60cm/24in and need to be kept alone in a huge tank.
Rubber Lipped Pleco Grow to about 17cm/7in, see Bristlenose Pleco
(Chinese?) Algae Eaters Have been known to grow up to 28cm/11 inches (G. Aymonieri), these fish can sometimes latch onto other fish to eat their 'slime coat' and will end up injuring the fish, CAEs will get VERY territorial in their later years.

See above.

Good info here but a few bits that I think you have gone a bit extreme on - like the Otos, you do get the big species but it would be rare to find these and most of them stay small like around 2 - 3 inches.

Bristlenoses, not come across this in my experience and not come across them being kept alone either? I have mixed with no problem and I know other members have as well.

Common Plecs - agree on sizes but not come across them having to be kept alone? Star4 has 2 or 3 lovely adults that are well into their teens now that are kept in mixed tanks, though she had to split them up at one point but that was only from each other after a fair few years together.

Rubber Lipped Plec - I think a bit similar to the Otos info really, perhaps a few species get to 7 inches but some of the more common species get to 4 - 5 inches.

Not meaning to undermine you but just wanted to give a broader thought to the info as I think some of these fish would be quite good in this tank like the Otos and Rubber Lips.

Also to the OP if you like Cories go for it, maybe try a different species to what you had before? Like if you had Bronze go for Pandas perhaps quite a nice difference in them or you could even look at other small loaches like Dwarf Chain Loach or Zebra Loaches.

Wills

 

[tomtomtom1230]

No, Wills. You're right to correct me, I can only regurgitate the info I've been given. I was also under the impression pleco's need to be kept alone of their male due to their fussy, territorial nature. I suppose if you had a tank big enough it'd be OK - I keep my BN alone and he's fine. But I keep him in with 5 cories so I don't have much room to pick and choose really!

Without knowing exact subspecies I thought I had better go to the extremes, just incase

 

[Wills]

Without knowing exact subspecies I thought I had better go to the extremes, just incase

You do right but with stuff like Otos its more likely to be one of the common small species rather than one of the larger ones. Its worth playing a bit of averages into the mix as well

Wills

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Point taken