Small Plecos

[Fishy412]

ok dumb question and im expecting a no but would it be possible to keep one of the smaller (4" and under) plecos in a 10 gallon tank for all or most of its life? i have a 55 gallon but its getting to be overstocked and its kind of aggressive in there

 

[pica_nuttalli]

generally it is not recommended to keep plecos in 10g because they're major poop machines. however, if its a specimen under 5" kept 100% by itself with double filtration... i don't see why not.

bigger is of course better, but if you can satisfy most of the other needs (territory, hiding spot, driftwood, good filtration, etc.) then it should be OK.

the only thing that i would really worry about is whether or not you can resist the temptation to add more fishies!

 

[RESGuy]

Well obviously in the future you will be upgrading you're tank after losing the battle of temptation! But I would suggest an Eheim filter. But not just any Eheim one that is for double if not triple the size of the tank. For example if you get that 10g tank you should get an Eheim that is for 20 or 30 gallon tanks. The filter might be a bit expensive but you are saving money and space keeping the Pleco in a 10g anyways. Thats just my 2 cents

 

[Fishy412]

tanks already inhabited. its a no then. its been set up for a while and i was thinking of adding a final addition to it that could maybe live in there most of its life if not all. but ive decided to fill out my tetra schools instead.

 

[bleechme]

I have a similar question but I didn't want to start a whole new thread. What kind of Plecos are the smallest of all plecs. I want to keep a plec until it is full grown but I don't have the space. I had to get rid of my 7" common plec because It over grew my 40 gallon tank. It's didn't over grow but it was leave HUGE waste after itself. are there any plecos that stay under 5" it's whole life? is there are what are they called?
And I want a active alge eater. It also have to look nice because I bought a rubbernose (heard they didn't grow as big) but they are UGLY!. no offense to any one that loves that species. they look SCARY!?

 

[CAC]

I have a similar question but I didn't want to start a whole new thread. What kind of Plecos are the smallest of all plecs. I want to keep a plec until it is full grown but I don't have the space. I had to get rid of my 7" common plec because It over grew my 40 gallon tank. It's didn't over grow but it was leave HUGE waste after itself. are there any plecos that stay under 5" it's whole life? is there are what are they called?
And I want a active alge eater. It also have to look nice because I bought a rubbernose (heard they didn't grow as big) but they are UGLY!. no offense to any one that loves that species. they look SCARY!?

Why not a bristlenose plec.?
they get to about 4-5", and you can get albino types too...
nice looking fish IMO..

MIkey

 

[pica_nuttalli]

heh, bleech, the easiest way to answer that question is to open a window showing Aquabid and open a window to Planet Catfish. then start looking!

there are just tons of plecs that stay relatively small. just remember, not all plecs are good algae eaters (Panaque maccus, for one ).

 

[RESGuy]

1. Flash Pleco, L204- 5.2" 130mm
2. Imperial Pleco, Zebra Pleco, L046, L098, L173- 3.2" 80mm
3. Clown Pleco, Ringlet Pleco, L104, L162, LDA22- 4" 100mm
4. Queen Arabesque Pleco L260~ 5" 125mm
5. King Tiger Pleco, Network Pleco, Scribbled Pleco, L066- 4.8" 120mm
6. Leopard Frog Pleco, L134 4.4" 110mm
7. Bristlenose Catfish, Common Bristlenose Catfish, L?- 5" 125mm
8. Starlight Bristlenose Catfish, L183- 4.0" 100mm
9. Butterfly Pleco, Flounder Pleco, L168- 5.6" 140mm
10. Tiger ''Peckoltia'', L002, L074- 4" 100mm
11. Candy Striped Pleco, L015- 4" 100mm
12. Angelicus Pleco, Portel Angelicus Pleco, L004, L005, L028, L073- 4" 100mm
13. Chocolate Zebra Pleco, L270, L307, LDA76- 4" 100mm
14. Dekeyseria sp., Butterfly Pleco, Flounder Pleco L052- 4.8" 120mm
15. Pitbull Plec LDA25 - 2" 50mm
16. Brown Dot Peckoltia, L006- 4" 100mm
17. Leopard Peckoltia, L008- 3.2" 80mm
18. Hypancistrus sp. L129- 2.8" 70mm
19. Spectracanthicus sp. L254- 4.4" 110mm
20. Panaque sp. L306, LDA64- 4.8" 120mm

There you go a list of 20 Plecos that stay under under 6"

 

[bleechme]

Thanks for the helps guys... I'm currently debating with myself. lol

 

[RESGuy]

You're welcome bleech

 

[Fishy412]

ahhhh now another dilemma. my cousin just got a 30 gallon tank that needs filling out so i'll probly be giving him a few of the fish out of my 55 gallon. so i might have room for a pleco after all.

would a sultan pleco be suitable for a 55 gallon tank?

 

[RESGuy]

I don't know can't find anything on tank size just this: http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/speci...?species_id=230

 

[Fishy412]

yep i saw that. 6" should be good but i didnt know if they had any special requirements or were unusually active or anything.

I know theyre great with SA cichlids but i also have a bichir and am growing out a lima

 

[smithrc]

yep i saw that. 6" should be good but i didnt know if they had any special requirements or were unusually active or anything.

I know theyre great with SA cichlids but i also have a bichir and am growing out a lima

hey Severum...

Did you get my PM?

I replyed but for some unknown reason there are 2 users with your user name and the other guy replyed, very confused

A sultan would be a great plec for a 55gal... try and get a large one from the start though or it might just become lunch for your other fish

You're welcome bleech

You might like to credit the original auther of your cut and paste... and maybe point out the pinned thread instead

Here you go folks... http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=132656

 

[Fishy412]

yep i saw that. 6" should be good but i didnt know if they had any special requirements or were unusually active or anything.

I know theyre great with SA cichlids but i also have a bichir and am growing out a lima

hey Severum...

Did you get my PM?

I replyed but for some unknown reason there are 2 users with your user name and the other guy replyed, very confused

A sultan would be a great plec for a 55gal... try and get a large one from the start though or it might just become lunch for your other fish

You're welcome bleech

You might like to credit the original auther of your cut and paste... and maybe point out the pinned thread instead

Here you go folks... http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=132656

Nope i never did get the PM but thats ok. I'll try to get my Local store to order a large one for me. Hopefully they can get one in. Thanks for the verification


EDIT- I have a taker for my Gold Gourami, one fish closer to a sultan pleco, all i need to give away now is a rainbow cich and festivum. Im only giving them to people i know though so i can make sure theyre being taken care of properly