Pleco Or Bristlenose

[Tanknewby]

Gday all. I want to get a pleco but i have heard a bristlenose is better. Which do i go with?

let me know all suggestions

Tanknewby.

 

[cambojnr]

bristlnoses stay quite small where as other plecos grow 12 + inches, also what size is you tank and how long have you had it set up as plecos produce alot of waste and need adequate filtration to deal with there it, also is you tank cycled?

 

[Bazaman]

i don't know if you know or not but a bristlenose is a pleco its just not a common pleco that most stores sell. so if you went with the bristlenose you will still get a end up with a pleco.

 

[SchottayB]

It depends on your tank size to what you can get.

Get a Bristlenose, they won't get much bigger than 5inch
or
Get a Common Pleco if you have a huge tank, some can grow to over a foot in size I belive.

 

[Tuxyu3]

bristlnoses stay quite small where as other plecos grow 12 + inches

That is by no means true, many plecos only get to around half that size, if not less.

 

[cambojnr]

bristlnoses stay quite small where as other plecos grow 12 + inches

That is by no means true, many plecos only get to around half that size, if not less.

did I state any specific plec that grows 12 + inches?. No I just said other plecos grow to those sizes compared to bristlenoses.

 

[Tuxyu3]

No, you did not say that but the way you phrased it made it sound like you were referring to every other pleco. Not trying to cause an argument, just avoid confusion.

 

[Mamba]

There's plenty out there that are small and interesting. If you want an Algae Eater in a planted aquarium then it's hard to beat the Bristlenose's. But, there are variants of these as well, all locally available, the long finned Ancistrus, the Albino Ancistrus, Golden Ancistrus and I saw on ebay a long finned golden ancistrus too. They are easily cared for.My advice is to go to your Local Fish Supplier and take a look at the pleco's. Then make a note of the pleco's you like the look of. Typically, they stat with "L" or "LDA". This is important to properly identify them. Don't go by the name as there are loads of "Leopard" Pleco's, some small, some enormous!!

Once you get the identification numbers of the Pleco's get on line and look into their care sheets and select which one is best for you and your mixture of fish for your tank.

There are a multitude available and a good selection too. Pay close attention to all the info in keeping them and then ask us which would mix best with your planned set up.

 

[cambojnr]

No, you did not say that but the way you phrased it made it sound like you were referring to every other pleco. Not trying to cause an argument, just avoid confusion.

Maybe in you little world, but most people are not that stupid.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Ok i am going to rise above the pettiness here and get back to the issue at hand.

Bristlenose are great little things but just like all other plecos are waste machines and you need to make sure your filtration i capable enough. Depending on substrate plecos can make your tank look very messy and dirty, even if you clean everyday, this is another sacrifice that ould need to be made. Whatever you decide in the end i wish you luck and remember, do your research and everything will stand a much better chance of going smoothly, When i say research i do not mean just the basics, it is unbelievably helpful to know your fish inside and out, one thing i do is learn about breeding them- even if i have no intention of doing it! it just gives you an idea of their kind of fishy paradise,

 

[monkeytennis]

I love my 2 bristlenoses. We have an albino and a standard colouring one and they are great. The albino is crazy though!

 

[Tanknewby]

thanks all. this has helped tremendously. it is much appreciated.

Bristlenose sounds like the way to go