Plec advice

[Rdelusion]

Is it just me is a fish tank just not the same without a plec?!

I mean, it's just ......wrong!

Now even before you start saying things like, 'individual opinion' and 'don't tell people they are wrong just becuase they don't agree with you' I would like to retort by saying NO!

...ahem....that being said I was wondering you could help with something,

I love gold nugget plecs and was going to get one but I've heard alot of people say that they are the least hardiest fish in the world and seem to die unless the water quality is perfect. Even an unexpected spike in nitrite levels will kill them off even if you work to correct it right away and I have to say that I've had a little experience of this myself in the past.

My question is what other 'showy' plecs are there that are going to be more hardy than the goldnugget?

Zebras, Royals, Clown plecs?!

 

[samthefishman]

Get some bristlenose catfish!!! LOL!
they r speky in my eyes, I love them.

 

[pahansen]

Hi! We got a Gold Nugget Pleco about three weeks ago, and he's very happy. We have a hard water and a low pH, but that doesn't seem to have bothered him. The LFS told us that they are pretty adaptable, but to ease him into the new environment. We did spend several hours acclimating him to the water before adding him to the tank.

I can't say that we've had any nitrite spikes, so maybe they are more susceptible to them, but he seems quite happy and healthy. It would seem to me that, if you have any sudden nitrite spikes that you don't catch for a while, you have bigger problems than just one pleco!

I say, go for the pleco if it'll make you happy and your tank stays fairly clean.

BTW, our Gold Nugget likes to stay out in the open (stuck to the side of a piece of driftwood) and will actually actively eat in the evening (before lights out). So he's a real joy to have around. (Of course, this is probably just an aberrant pleco!)

-- Pamela

 

[BobK]

I have a 12" common plec and he's very entertaining and fun to watch. I don't know how big your tank but they can get to 18" in captivity. I've got a 75 gallon (U.S.). They also are messy so you would have to vacuum the gravel and do water changes weekly. Also, once they get big you have to be careful of over-stocking your tank because they put quite a load on the bio-filter. Good luck!

 

[SirMinion]

We have the Aqualog All L-Numbers book which pictures almost 400 'showy' plec species... take your pick!

My personal preference is for bristlenose plecs (ansistrus) My fishie holy grail is the spotted medusa bristlenose ancistrus ranunculus variant What a fish!

 

[breezer40]

I have 2 gold nuggets, 1 fully grown and 1 thats about 2 ins. Never had any problems keeping them They both were part of a bulk purchase of catfish so if anyone is interested the small one may be available if you want to make an offer.

 

[Earthgirl]

I agree with everyone about the brisltenose, but I especially agree with SirMinion!
If I could find one, I would definelty set up a new tank, just for him or as many as I could get!
I love my peppermint although he really just hangs around. It is like having a spotted ordament!
My clown I hardly ever see, but when I do he always has a happy little belly!
It sure is a lot of fun to have beautiful plecs ( in my opionion) but no fun because they are all nocturnal!