The Betta boy
New Member
Does anybody have experience with this specific plecostomus? I ask because I am thinking about getting one but I want to know for sure if it's the right choice.
Rubber Lipped Plecostomus
- Thread starter The Betta boy
- Start date
There's several species, the most common being chaetostoma formosae.
They require a lot of oxygen and movement in the water, so a powerhead or wavemaker is essential. They also need cooler temperatures, 70-74F being most ideal.
They also may not take to prepared foods right away, or ever, so introducing them to a very mature tank is your best option, or move some mature decor over to their quarantine if need be. They'll thrive on a mostly vegetarian diet with some supplementation of protein foods. Spirulina flakes, algae wafers, Bacter AE, Repashy... all of these would be a good addition to their diet.
Now, if you're talking about getting a more obscure species of chaetostoma, then you will need to look at other more specific information. But that information above applies to the most common species available in the hobby
They require a lot of oxygen and movement in the water, so a powerhead or wavemaker is essential. They also need cooler temperatures, 70-74F being most ideal.
They also may not take to prepared foods right away, or ever, so introducing them to a very mature tank is your best option, or move some mature decor over to their quarantine if need be. They'll thrive on a mostly vegetarian diet with some supplementation of protein foods. Spirulina flakes, algae wafers, Bacter AE, Repashy... all of these would be a good addition to their diet.
Now, if you're talking about getting a more obscure species of chaetostoma, then you will need to look at other more specific information. But that information above applies to the most common species available in the hobby
The Betta boy
New Member
Thank you. Another question I have is there's also going to be some snails and some shrimp in the tank. I have not set up the tank, but would I need the others to keep a 55 gal tank clean?
TwoTankAmin
Fish Connoisseur
To keep a tank clean I would suggest Siphonius vacuumii* and regular regimen of Aqua Mutatio*. For a 55 you may also find a grattoir à algues* useful as well. This should not be the job of fish, shrimp or snails etc. as they will never do the job close to well for algae control and, for most things, will do nothing at all.
*(Substrate vacuum, water change and algae scraper.)
*(Substrate vacuum, water change and algae scraper.)
The Betta boy
New Member
I've never had a problem with algae but I have had problems with fish waste. I would be feeding them their respective foods, but I don't want them fighting over things to clean. I would still do regular maintenance and water changes myself.
The Betta boy
New Member
I really want them cause I think they'd be interesting.
TwoTankAmin
Fish Connoisseur
Plecos are neat. I have been breeding a few of the B&W ones since 2006. I do not expect any of my bottom feeders to eat poop, I have a siphon that loves the stuff however. Live plants do do as well since fish poop is plant food. I do not vacuum any of my planted tanks unless I had accidentally way over-fed.
Also, a great place for catfish information is https://www.planetcatfish.com/index.php
But CassCats has steered you in the right direction above.
Also, a great place for catfish information is https://www.planetcatfish.com/index.php
But CassCats has steered you in the right direction above.
You are the one to do the cleaning, no fish will do it for you.
These fish are more sensitive than some of the other more prevalent plecos, and won't fare well in poor water quality. They need clean water.
One thing that may be of useful knowledge for you, since the use of a powerhead or wave maker is advisable with these fish, if you use sand substrate instead of gravel, the debris won't sink into the substrate and instead the current in the tank can be manipulated so that the debris is pushed towards the filter. Gravel will trap debris and make more work on keeping things clean, sand like pool filter sand would be best. Play sand works too, some folks find it too fine, I prefer it, but that's your decision.
In your filter I'd recommend having a permanent media such as sponge or ceramic and then also a disposable media like filter floss which will collect that debris and can be thrown out and replaced when full. Canister, hang on back, or internal filters are better with these fish, a sponge filter (though reliable) may not keep up with the mechanical filtration you'd need with these fish.
They'll bicker over territory if kept in groups, which they can be kept in groups if you have the filtration and space to support it. A 55 gallon with a canister could house a pair or so, and allow several rocky crevices for them to claim. More crevices than fish so they won't have to fight over a space.
These fish are more sensitive than some of the other more prevalent plecos, and won't fare well in poor water quality. They need clean water.
One thing that may be of useful knowledge for you, since the use of a powerhead or wave maker is advisable with these fish, if you use sand substrate instead of gravel, the debris won't sink into the substrate and instead the current in the tank can be manipulated so that the debris is pushed towards the filter. Gravel will trap debris and make more work on keeping things clean, sand like pool filter sand would be best. Play sand works too, some folks find it too fine, I prefer it, but that's your decision.
In your filter I'd recommend having a permanent media such as sponge or ceramic and then also a disposable media like filter floss which will collect that debris and can be thrown out and replaced when full. Canister, hang on back, or internal filters are better with these fish, a sponge filter (though reliable) may not keep up with the mechanical filtration you'd need with these fish.
They'll bicker over territory if kept in groups, which they can be kept in groups if you have the filtration and space to support it. A 55 gallon with a canister could house a pair or so, and allow several rocky crevices for them to claim. More crevices than fish so they won't have to fight over a space.
I believe this bickering depends on the sex.
My female will kick the males out of her spot, and the males will kick each other and her out of their spots.
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