Plecos

[PrairieSunflower]

Are there plecos that don't grow large?

I'm still considering how to finish off my tank population and started to wonder if I pleco fit in... but only if it was small (I have a 3 foot tank).

 

[LucyB]

Probably the best option for you is oto catfish? They only grow a few cm's and will keep the algae away

 

[Staxx]

this will help you..


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/132656-30-plecos-under-8-inches/

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Thanks, will check out the link and read up on the oto. Clearing algae is exactly what I want one for. When I bought the lighting for the tank... well the bulb, I think I chose the wrong one as algae grows like mad in that tank... but the bulb cost too much to toss and choose another one!

 

[kylealastairlove]

rubber lip pleco ?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I've started some reading on the oto and a few others on that long list and I have a question... I was sort of imagining having one but I keep reading they are very social and like groups of about 6. Is this important? If I only bought 2 (of whatever sort if I decide to get some)... would that be a bad thing for them?

Oh, and I forgot my other question. Do they eat the bog wood or do they just like to sit on it? I have some in the closet that I got with my tank and have never used... its too big (well.... its bigger than I would want it to be in my tank).... and its also second hand... if I needed bog wood, is it ok to use second hand bog wood (fully dried out for some time) or should I be getting some new?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Big to the aquatics shop I visited today, will definitely visit again in the future. I was in to get a couple of guppies and was asking about the oto catfish and was quite pleased with him telling me the truth rather than trying to sell them to me. He said the area's water is too hard for them and they will die in a matter of weeks. He told me they find some dead every few days.

He did suggest another one to me but the tank didn't have a name sign and I couldn't understand his really thick accent... so will seek that out on google images and read up.

 

[Dazzler666]

What about bristle nose plecs, albino bristle noses, even some of the more specialized plecs such as golden nuggets, snowballs, etc dont grow to 'common plec' sizes.
Search plecs on tinternet & go from there. Its what im doing!!!

 

[panda_cory]

I would recommend Bristlenose plecos they stay small and arnt to expensive. usually £7

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I would recommend Bristlenose plecos they stay small and arnt to expensive. usually £7

How are they with plants, I've not read it online but I have noticed people saying various catfish/plecos pull up plants.

 

[dinsdale]

I would like to get some Otos and I live in a hard water area (or so I'm told). Wouldn't the aquatic centre have the same water hardness if it is in your area? Where do you live?

 

[onidrase]

I wouldn't get a pleco for the sole purpose of cleaning algae. All of them stop eating algae eventually, and algae isn't the only thing they need to eat. bristlenose plecs need some driftwood to suck on and plenty of veggie content, mine gets lots of lettuce and cucumber to help him stay healthy. He's growing lazy on the algae, but that's nothing a good ole brush can't handle. cleaning algae off the sides of my 75 gallon tank takes like 2 minutes.

Aside from this, they're very, very messy fish. In place of eating algae, they poo none stop, dirtying up the water faster, thus making water changes needed more often. My pleco is the sole provider of every string of fish poo on the bottom of the tank, the smaller, lighter strands from other fish get sucked up by the filter. IMO this is a much bigger problem than a bunch of algae.

At work I need to clean algae off the walls in the pleco tanks every 4 or so days and bleach decorations at least every other weak or else they turn black, cause they crap a lot faster than they eat.

If you like plecos cause they're cute and fun, get a pleco. If you want a pleco cause you don't wanna take a couple minutes to wipe algae off the walls, don't.

And yes, otto's do need to be kept in groups. but 6 ottos is not as messy as 1 pleco.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I would like to get some Otos and I live in a hard water area (or so I'm told). Wouldn't the aquatic centre have the same water hardness if it is in your area? Where do you live?

Yes, that's why they didn't recommend it. They said even they have trouble keeping them alive with the water issues.

I wouldn't get a pleco for the sole purpose of cleaning algae. All of them stop eating algae eventually, and algae isn't the only thing they need to eat. bristlenose plecs need some driftwood to suck on and plenty of veggie content, mine gets lots of lettuce and cucumber to help him stay healthy. He's growing lazy on the algae, but that's nothing a good ole brush can't handle. cleaning algae off the sides of my 75 gallon tank takes like 2 minutes.

Aside from this, they're very, very messy fish. In place of eating algae, they poo none stop, dirtying up the water faster, thus making water changes needed more often. My pleco is the sole provider of every string of fish poo on the bottom of the tank, the smaller, lighter strands from other fish get sucked up by the filter. IMO this is a much bigger problem than a bunch of algae.

At work I need to clean algae off the walls in the pleco tanks every 4 or so days and bleach decorations at least every other weak or else they turn black, cause they crap a lot faster than they eat.

If you like plecos cause they're cute and fun, get a pleco. If you want a pleco cause you don't wanna take a couple minutes to wipe algae off the walls, don't.

And yes, otto's do need to be kept in groups. but 6 ottos is not as messy as 1 pleco.

OH that is really good to know... I don't really want a messier tank... it feels like a chemistry project just keeping tanks pristine for regular fish.

 

[Mamba]

Hi,

Like previously said, it all depends on why you want a Pleco. If it's to cure an Algae problem. In truth it won't if it's bad but they can, if you pick the correct one keep your tank clean. Mine do a very good job of it. I have three small Pleco's. An L008 Leopard Pleco, a juvenille Long Finned Ancistrus and a Golden Ancistrus. I do weekly gravel cleans whilst doing the water change. They are with Fancy Goldfish and an Albino Ruby Shark all in a 3ft tank too. They don't seem especially bad mind you goldfish do produce tremendous amounts of waste. It's just like anything else, as long as you keep on top of it things should be fine and dandy.

There are some very nice small Pleco's, not all of which are Algae eaters though. Some of which are extremely expensive. Your best bet is to look at what your LFS have, make a note of the name and especially number, look it up on google and work from there.

If nothing else it's worth a look, you may never know you may see something you really like that is suitable.

 

[dinsdale]

It is refreshing to hear about a bit of honest advice from your LFS. I'm by no means saying they're all compulsive liars, but they are in the sales business after all. I was sold some Chinese Algae eaters to combat my algae problem but they omitted to tell me that they grow to be massive bullies. They don't bother with algae anymore as they prefer Apple snails. Brilliant.
Just wanted you to be aware that these little horrors are a big nightmare and are only a short term solution.