Small Pleco Advice?

[Linway]

Hey all,
So basically a couple of months ago we setup a new tank and have slowly but surely been stocking the tank once we got it cycled. 
 
Tank details:
95L (25US gallon, 22IMP gallon)
W80 x D30 x H40cm
pH ~7.3
Temp: 24oC
 
Current stock:
10 Neon Tetras
4 Platys
5 Red Cherry Shrimp
4 Bronze Corydoras
 
All of the current fish are doing well and we have had no issues since getting the tank cycled etc. The only fish we were planning on adding before calling it a day on stocking was a betta and I've been waiting so that the shrimp have some time to grow to ensure the betta wont bother them too much (but this doesn't seem to be an issue as the shrimp spend their lives hidden in one of the ornaments, only coming out to find food).
 
Anyway with regards to the cleanliness of the tank I have no issues with the sand or ornaments, however just to keep the inside of the glass clean I was considering a pleco, however all the ones I've found seem to be massive and I was wondering if there are any "dwarf" plecos that would go nicely in this community while keeping my tank clean and wont cause me to reach a status of being overstocked?
 
Cheers guys

 

[GetItSahn]

I have a 29 gallon tank with a similar stock.
I have 2 clown plecos in my tank and I think they're fantastic. Clowns shouldn't get over 4 inches, they aren't prolific algae eaters so don't get them for that reason

 

[Fishmanic]

a bushy nose pleco grows to about 4 inches and is a good algae eater and is widely available

 

[DerpPH]

Just dont buy those common and sailfin plecs.
 
Would otocinclus fill the bill?
 
They are a relative of the pleco and should be kept in groups.
 
They are also fun to watch
 
But by the way things look you are a bit overstocked
 
Your platies will soon overrun the tank

 

[MBOU]

Another vote for Otocinclus they would be ideal!! Personally I would go for 3 Otos, 4-6 if a decent external (canister) filter

 

[Linway]

I have a 29 gallon tank with a similar stock.
I have 2 clown plecos in my tank and I think they're fantastic. Clowns shouldn't get over 4 inches, they aren't prolific algae eaters so don't get them for that reason

Clowns seem to fit the bill very well. I asked my LFS store about what you said about not eating much algae and the guy said that all plecos will eat a lot of algae unless they are overfed outside products by the owner such as algae flakes etc. Dunno if that's true and/or could help you
 

a bushy nose pleco grows to about 4 inches and is a good algae eater and is widely available

They look amazing! Although I think I'm swayed more towards a clown or pitbull just because they are slightly smaller.
 

Just dont buy those common and sailfin plecs.
 
Would otocinclus fill the bill?
 
They are a relative of the pleco and should be kept in groups.
 
They are also fun to watch
 
But by the way things look you are a bit overstocked
 
Your platies will soon overrun the tank

I can't help feel your comment is a bit contradictive in that you suggest a group but say I'm already overstocked? lol...
With regards to the fish recommended, I don't want another group fish because then I will definitely reach being overstocked.
With regards to already being overstocked, I don't feel that I'm overstocked but I feel I might already be stocked that's why I was asking for 1 small pleco so that it wouldn't push me too far over the edge. I would like to ask though why you feel the platys will be the one to overrun the tank? I ask that because according to the store I bought them they are all the same gender so can't breed but even if they could breed I have no breeding tank I could put them into so the fry would likely be eaten.
 

Another vote for Otocinclus

they would be ideal!! Personally I would go for 3 Otos, 4-6 if a decent external (canister) filter

Same as above really, they look cool and regardless of them being small it's still a group and pushes me towards being overstocked.

 

[MojoDex]

I asked my LFS store about what you said about not eating much algae and the guy said that all plecos will eat a lot of algae unless they are overfed outside products by the owner such as algae flakes etc. Dunno if that's true and/or could help you

Absolute rubbish! Some Plecs are considered Carnivorous, I would advise you against using that store....
 
Otto's really are the best bet for what you want.

 

[hobby5]

To be honest, I would advise to not add any fish with the only purpose to eat your algae, that nearly never works out the way you want. Btw, your platies should be very good algae eaters too. Don't feed for a week and watch There is noo need to keep the inside of the glass clean. If visibility gets too poor you can clean the front glass with a household sponge or a razorblade (take care not to trap any sand or gravel, or you will scratch the glass) once a month while you do the usual maintenance.

 

[DerpPH]

Clowns seem to fit the bill very well. I asked my LFS store about what you said about not eating much algae and the guy said that all plecos will eat a lot of algae unless they are overfed outside products by the owner such as algae flakes etc. Dunno if that's true and/or could help you

 
 
 

Just dont buy those common and sailfin plecs.
 
Would otocinclus fill the bill?
 
They are a relative of the pleco and should be kept in groups.
 
They are also fun to watch
 
But by the way things look you are a bit overstocked
 
Your platies will soon overrun the tank

I can't help feel your comment is a bit contradictive in that you suggest a group but say I'm already overstocked? lol...
With regards to the fish recommended, I don't want another group fish because then I will definitely reach being overstocked.
With regards to already being overstocked, I don't feel that I'm overstocked but I feel I might already be stocked that's why I was asking for 1 small pleco so that it wouldn't push me too far over the edge. I would like to ask though why you feel the platys will be the one to overrun the tank? I ask that because according to the store I bought them they are all the same gender so can't breed but even if they could breed I have no breeding tank I could put them into so the fry would likely be eaten.
 

 
 
So your tank shoud be fine if you have decent filters. A decent external filter.
 
And not all plecs eat algae. As mojodex said not all plecs are algae eaters.
 
The hypancistrus zebra is a carnivor. So are some "vampire" plecs and the like
 
If I were you I would buy nerites. They will be better for your tank.
 
I know they are not plecs but they do a heck of a job cleanin your tank

 

[MojoDex]

Nerites! That is excellent advise right there!

 

[Garbolino]

Depending on the colour of your substrate what about a lemon plec (l44)

 

[Linway]

I asked my LFS store about what you said about not eating much algae and the guy said that all plecos will eat a lot of algae unless they are overfed outside products by the owner such as algae flakes etc. Dunno if that's true and/or could help you

Absolute rubbish! Some Plecs are considered Carnivorous, I would advise you against using that store....
 
Otto's really are the best bet for what you want.

Sorry I feel you may have misunderstood me because what was said is true for almost any animal. I know some plecs are carnivorous but considering I'm looking for one that eats vegetation I don't see how they are relevant. And when I say it's true for almost any animal it is. If your cat isn't eating cat food and because you are constantly feeding him fresh tuna, you can't then question why he isn't eating the cat food. Same goes for this, if your herbivore plecs isn't eating stuff from around the tank and you are feeding him over stuff the answer is there as to why he isn't eating the algae. That's what was meant by the guy in the LFS




DerpPH, ty for that reply. I do have an external filter although I can't remember the make and model right now as I'm not at home. I'll have a look at the nerites

 

[DerpPH]

 

 

I asked my LFS store about what you said about not eating much algae and the guy said that all plecos will eat a lot of algae unless they are overfed outside products by the owner such as algae flakes etc. Dunno if that's true and/or could help you

Absolute rubbish! Some Plecs are considered Carnivorous, I would advise you against using that store....
 
Otto's really are the best bet for what you want.

Sorry I feel you may have misunderstood me because what was said is true for almost any animal. I know some plecs are carnivorous but considering I'm looking for one that eats vegetation I don't see how they are relevant. And when I say it's true for almost any animal it is. If your cat isn't eating cat food and because you are constantly feeding him fresh tuna, you can't then question why he isn't eating the cat food. Same goes for this, if your herbivore plecs isn't eating stuff from around the tank and you are feeding him over stuff the answer is there as to why he isn't eating the algae. That's what was meant by the guy in the LFS

DerpPH, ty for that reply. I do have an external filter although I can't remember the make and model right now as I'm not at home. I'll have a look at the nerites

 


 
 
Yah it does happen occasionally but most of the time people feed plecs sparingly which does make them do their duties. But once a week feedings of zucinni or algae disc wont outbalance their diet even one bit

 

[GetItSahn]

 

 

I asked my LFS store about what you said about not eating much algae and the guy said that all plecos will eat a lot of algae unless they are overfed outside products by the owner such as algae flakes etc. Dunno if that's true and/or could help you

Absolute rubbish! Some Plecs are considered Carnivorous, I would advise you against using that store....
 
Otto's really are the best bet for what you want.

Sorry I feel you may have misunderstood me because what was said is true for almost any animal. I know some plecs are carnivorous but considering I'm looking for one that eats vegetation I don't see how they are relevant. And when I say it's true for almost any animal it is. If your cat isn't eating cat food and because you are constantly feeding him fresh tuna, you can't then question why he isn't eating the cat food. Same goes for this, if your herbivore plecs isn't eating stuff from around the tank and you are feeding him over stuff the answer is there as to why he isn't eating the algae. That's what was meant by the guy in the LFS

DerpPH, ty for that reply. I do have an external filter although I can't remember the make and model right now as I'm not at home. I'll have a look at the nerites

 


Well the man at the LFS can have his own opinion but vitrually everywhere you look online will tell you that they don't eat much algae at all and that CANNOT be their only diet. You must give them other supplements. Another thing about clowns is you must have wood in your tank

 

[DerpPH]

 

 

 

I asked my LFS store about what you said about not eating much algae and the guy said that all plecos will eat a lot of algae unless they are overfed outside products by the owner such as algae flakes etc. Dunno if that's true and/or could help you

Absolute rubbish! Some Plecs are considered Carnivorous, I would advise you against using that store....
 
Otto's really are the best bet for what you want.

Sorry I feel you may have misunderstood me because what was said is true for almost any animal. I know some plecs are carnivorous but considering I'm looking for one that eats vegetation I don't see how they are relevant. And when I say it's true for almost any animal it is. If your cat isn't eating cat food and because you are constantly feeding him fresh tuna, you can't then question why he isn't eating the cat food. Same goes for this, if your herbivore plecs isn't eating stuff from around the tank and you are feeding him over stuff the answer is there as to why he isn't eating the algae. That's what was meant by the guy in the LFS

DerpPH, ty for that reply. I do have an external filter although I can't remember the make and model right now as I'm not at home. I'll have a look at the nerites

 


Well the man at the LFS can have his own opinion but vitrually everywhere you look online will tell you that they don't eat much algae at all and that CANNOT be their only diet. You must give them other supplements. Another thing about clowns is you must have wood in your tank
 


 And making them eat algae only will outbalance their diet. In the amazon they eat anything from algae to dead plants, driftwood and the like. Which means their diet should be varied. an algae disc once a week. followed by spinach the next week should  be fine