Plec Suggestions

[Miss Wiggle]

got a 350l tank with big agressive chiclids in, wanna put a plec in as part of my algae control scheme (it's a non planted tank so struggling a little), so any suggestions for a plec that won't get bullied and is a good algae eater?

 

[nmonks]

I'd imagine any of the standard bigger species would be fine. Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps is a nice catfish, very handsome and usually easy enough to obtain. My Panaque nigrolineatus (still going strong) put up with 7 years with Malawi cichlids. That species is a bit delicate when first imported, but otherwise seems tough as old boots. Liposarcus multiradiatus and L. pardalis are the "common plecs" (in the UK, at least) and though not very pretty are certainly hardy.

In a large cichlid tank a plec will have little to no effect on algae control. It's important to recognise what allows algae to prosper (the lack of plants) and fertilises the algae (the nitrates) in the first place. Adding a plec does nothing about the first issue, and actually makes the second issue worse. "Algae eaters" as sold by many retailers are more about marketing than practical function. You're still going to be scraping off the algae and cleaning the rocks.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=135919

Since this is the case, you may as well broaden you catfish search for any other species that might be fun, like a large doradid, or a Synodontis.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[KathyM]

Liposarcus multiradiatus and L. pardalis are the "common plecs" (in the UK, at least) and though not very pretty are certainly hardy.

Oooo I dunno, the choccie albinos are loooovely. And if the tank spacing is big enough (which it is) then they can put up with a lot more than the gibbies can, although I do have a soft spot for gibbies too.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I'd imagine any of the standard bigger species would be fine. Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps is a nice catfish, very handsome and usually easy enough to obtain. My Panaque nigrolineatus (still going strong) put up with 7 years with Malawi cichlids. That species is a bit delicate when first imported, but otherwise seems tough as old boots. Liposarcus multiradiatus and L. pardalis are the "common plecs" (in the UK, at least) and though not very pretty are certainly hardy.

In a large cichlid tank a plec will have little to no effect on algae control. It's important to recognise what allows algae to prosper (the lack of plants) and fertilises the algae (the nitrates) in the first place. Adding a plec does nothing about the first issue, and actually makes the second issue worse. "Algae eaters" as sold by many retailers are more about marketing than practical function. You're still going to be scraping off the algae and cleaning the rocks.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=135919

Since this is the case, you may as well broaden you catfish search for any other species that might be fun, like a large doradid, or a Synodontis.

Cheers,

Neale

I thought some of the better algae eaters would make a difference.... note I said I wanted one as PART of my algae control scheme. I'm also hoping to put some java moss on the roof of a slate cave, I'm looking into floating plants etc as well.

Thanks for your advice though.

I've a choclate albino plec on the way from my fella actually, think I might put him in there, I've another 2 tanks he could possibly go in as well though