Pleco

[tankman2]

Hello all,
I have two quick questions that I have been wondering about...could you keep a strictly species pleco tank without any problems at all?

Also, I have a spare 10 gallon tank around and I was wondering if I were to get a dwarf species of the pleco which only grew around 5inches, would this be a suitable tank size for it? Would I maybe be able to put 2 in here? Thanks

 

[FeroX]

Definitely not need 2, I wouldn't say you even need 1....but you can put a small one, yes. Not recommended, I wouldn't recommend it, nothing below 20g for me. I'd say just get at least 3 oto cats.

 

[raptorrex]

i would have to agree with FeroX.

 

[smmetz]

Yes, you could keep a tank just for plecos. Be warned that many species are territorial towards other plecos of the same or different species when adults.

10 gallons is not really large enough for many varieties of pleco, but in a stretch you might be OK with a Pitbull Pleco (Parotocinclus jumbo), Rubbernose pleco (Chaetostoma Milesi), or maybe a Bristlenose plec (Ancistrus dolichopterus). The Bristlenose would really be pushing it as I recommend a 20 gallon min for them.

Oh, and don't forget that plecos need to be fed, they can't thrive on just whatever algae happens to grow in your tank, especially small tanks.

You can also try getting a few Oto (Otocinclus Affinis), which only grow to 2" max and like to be in groups of 3+, unlike many other fish in the loricariidae family. I think I read that Oto are not actually considered a pleco.