Plecos And Plants

[Thomas 2507]

so i've never kept a pleco in the couple of years that i've been keeping fish. come to think of it, i've never kept a true bottom dweller or catfish. but i am considering getting a pair of bristlenoses for my 20g when it's rescaped.

however i am a little worried about what i've read. the tank will be planted with mostly tetras although i haven't fully decided on the stocking.

i'm just worried that plecos aren't suited to a planted tank. will they eat/destroy/uproot the plants?

thanks to anyone who replies it would be good to get some feedback from people with first-hand experience.

 

[Colin_T]

Plecos and suckermouth catfish are vegetarian and will eat plants. If they are offered alternative foods they generally leave the plants alone. If they are starved then they will take to the plants. Use an algae wafer or something similar to feed them and add pumpkin, zucchini and various other fresh fruits and veges. Also have a piece of driftwood in the tank for them. Lots of suckermouth catfish will chew on the wood.
Make sure you do regular water changes and gravel cleans because vegetarian fishes can produce a bit or waste.