Mixing Plecos

[Wanda hornsey]

I am currently running a fishless cycle on a 125gal tank and when finished and stable I would like to add a couple of plecos (among other things) at the LFS they have L031 Peppermint ( they have a sign saying L031 Blue spotted but they look more like the pics of the Peppermints to me ) among others they have some L018 Golden Nuggets. Can anyone tell me if these 2 are compatable? I really really like the look of the Golden Nuggets and if they cant go together can anyone suggest another Pleco (not to expensive) that would fit with a G-Nugget. the tank is 48" long 28 wide" 24"deep.

Thanks a million

 

[The-Wolf]

they should be fine together as neither are very territorial

 

[bunjiweb]

I have never had problems mixing plecs. I simply provide LOTS of caves, whether it be using bogwood or slate. The worst behaved plec i own is my large male bristlenose who used to be boisterous towards my syno. angelicus, but since moving them both into my 6x2x2 there has been no problems.

Ben

 

[Ian M]

I am not sure where The Wolf gets their information from but Golden Nuggets are territorial to other bottom dwellers and do not compete well for food. See http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loric...yanci/153_F.PHP for more information. Probably best not to mix them with other plecs. Hope this helps

Ian

 

[smithrc]

I am not sure where The Wolf gets their information from but Golden Nuggets are territorial to other bottom dwellers and do not compete well for food. See http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loric...yanci/153_F.PHP for more information. Probably best not to mix them with other plecs. Hope this helps

Ian

real life experience of all of those that have commented above are generally better than what you read...


We have an LDA33 (same species as the golden nuggets) in with other plecs (differing sizes - upto 12") and he is feeding well and not agresive at all. The trick is to divide lines of sight and have lots of tubes/caves.

now... mixing big armored plecs with softscaled ones is not too good... if there is a dispute over one of the many caves - the softie will come off worst.

 

[Wanda hornsey]

smith RC just nosed around your website and fish list...you have some beautiful fish ...and some nice Bike pics

starlight bristlenose....sounds beautiful do you have any pic's?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Smithrc, you may have experience with gold nuggets and look after your fish well, but that doesn't mean that your experience with gold nuggets goes for everyone- its like mixing bettas with other community fish, somtimes they are great while other times they are down right nasty, even with tried and tested tank mates.
It can be quite suprising how agressive some plecs can be towards each other.
I have mainly common and sailfin plecs, which will hopefully be separated soon, but they can be very grouchy when it comes to feeding time at times- and they are some of the plecs with the most peaceful reputation out there. Careful arrangement of decor will help alot, but yet again, it doesn't always work.
Personally i try to refrain from advising fish to go with other fish that have reputations for agression even if there's numerous cases of the fish getting along fine, taking risks with fish stocking is not a good thing IMO- you also have to remember that the vast bulk of plecs out there are nocturnal, so you may be completely unaware of the agression that goes on at night sometimes while you sleep.
Sorry to sound negative, but i try to aim for as peaceful community aquarium as posible with no risks involved.

 

[smithrc]

Smithrc, you may have experience with gold nuggets and look after your fish well, but that doesn't mean that your experience with gold nuggets goes for everyone- its like mixing bettas with other community fish, somtimes they are great while other times they are down right nasty, even with tried and tested tank mates.
It can be quite suprising how agressive some plecs can be towards each other.
I have mainly common and sailfin plecs, which will hopefully be separated soon, but they can be very grouchy when it comes to feeding time at times- and they are some of the plecs with the most peaceful reputation out there. Careful arrangement of decor will help alot, but yet again, it doesn't always work.
Personally i try to refrain from advising fish to go with other fish that have reputations for agression even if there's numerous cases of the fish getting along fine, taking risks with fish stocking is not a good thing IMO- you also have to remember that the vast bulk of plecs out there are nocturnal, so you may be completely unaware of the agression that goes on at night sometimes while you sleep.
Sorry to sound negative, but i try to aim for as peaceful community aquarium as posible with no risks involved.

I think I was saying the same thing... you cant rely on what you read... Experience counts for a lot... (and what I didnt say was they this will vary).

Touch wood, my personal experience is a good one - with no problems. Soft skinned plecs mark easily (even spawning can leave marks for a few days) If there was any agression and/or signs of it, I'd be the first to move them and advise against it.

People keep common plecs in a 10gal... it 'works' but is definatly not recommended... but we've all seen what some sites suggect as stocking suggestions

If we followed what the books/web says we'd all be doing this a lot differently

 

[The-Wolf]

I am not sure where The Wolf gets their information

I get it from working in a lfs (recently left)
and my own personal experiance.

At work golden nuggets were often kept with other plecos, synos and pim pictus even
there has never been any trouble doing so.

When I owned a GN I had him with with many botias and then with corys
again never any trouble with him being "territorial"