What Plec

[SteM]

Ok so I've decided to start researching what ill have in me tank once it's fully cycled, I want to get a pleco but I don't want it growing to a monster, I've seen the clown plec only grows to 3.5 inches are there any others that would stay that size? Also the tank will be heavily planted ,

Cheers guys

 

[xingumike]

What size tank?

What other tank mates?

What temperature?

What decor?

 

[SteM]

180 litre, not sure on what else will be there maybe some angels, neon tetra, rummy nose tetra etc, at the moment I only have some twisted roots in it but will be adding some rocks and more plants the weekend (don't ask what type cause I haven't a clue) .. The water temp is set at 27 degrees

 

[greenmumma141]

I have a "high fin" pleco (see my sig.) and he is extremely friendly and doesn't bother with my plants at all. He is very active, he can be seen during the day even though he has a cave, and he will only get around 5". I love the way he looks, and he was very cheap as well

 

[phantomlink]

Bristle/Bushynose will get a little larger then your 3.5" but they are good plecos. They wont eat your plants just the algae on them, and if you boil some cucumber or zucchini ( more nutrients then cucumber )for ~40 seconds to soften it some and put it in the tank they will pretty much eat the entire piece you put in. If you want a female look for one without many bristles on its face. Males have alot more then the females do

 

[xingumike]

180 litre, not sure on what else will be there maybe some angels, neon tetra, rummy nose tetra etc, at the moment I only have some twisted roots in it but will be adding some rocks and more plants the weekend (don't ask what type cause I haven't a clue) .. The water temp is set at 27 degrees

Clowns are actually a pretty good choice if you want to stay away from the obvious Bristlenose choice. Perhaps check what your shop can actually get and then we can tell you what fits size wise

I have a "high fin" pleco (see my sig.) and he is extremely friendly and doesn't bother with my plants at all. He is very active, he can be seen during the day even though he has a cave, and he will only get around 5". I love the way he looks, and he was very cheap as well

Whoever told you that fish will only reach 5 inches was lying.

That is P. gibbiceps, expect 14 inches.

 

[SteM]

Yea my lfs doesn't have clowns, but I've read the bristle nose will get to 6 inches, I suppose that's not too big, definately be looking for one that won't devour my plants

 

[SteM]

Just read a starry night pleco doesn't get any bigger than 4-5 inches

 

[greenmumma141]

180 litre, not sure on what else will be there maybe some angels, neon tetra, rummy nose tetra etc, at the moment I only have some twisted roots in it but will be adding some rocks and more plants the weekend (don't ask what type cause I haven't a clue) .. The water temp is set at 27 degrees

Clowns are actually a pretty good choice if you want to stay away from the obvious Bristlenose choice. Perhaps check what your shop can actually get and then we can tell you what fits size wise

I have a "high fin" pleco (see my sig.) and he is extremely friendly and doesn't bother with my plants at all. He is very active, he can be seen during the day even though he has a cave, and he will only get around 5". I love the way he looks, and he was very cheap as well

Whoever told you that fish will only reach 5 inches was lying.

That is P. gibbiceps, expect 14 inches.

you're right, I just found him online. a Hifin spotted pleco..... that would be the lfs that i no longer go to, they also suckered me into an eclipse catfish that "only grew to 5" " yeah right... in 3 months he was 6" and ate 3 tiger barbs and 2 CAE. good thing I plan on upgraded to a larger tank soon, hopefully my pleco with stay nice, as he gets along with all my other fish very well right now. Thanks for the correction

 

[bmonki]

Ok so I've decided to start researching what ill have in me tank once it's fully cycled, I want to get a pleco but I don't want it growing to a monster, I've seen the clown plec only grows to 3.5 inches are there any others that would stay that size? Also the tank will be heavily planted ,

Cheers guys

it largely depends on your reasons for wanting a plec. I have 2 clowns, and i absolutely love them, but they very rarely eat algae and they poo LOADS (still love em tho)

 

[sadguppy]

If you ever want to see them, I would stick with the ancistrus/bristlenose. My clown hides away 99.9% of the time, although when you do spot him it's like a treat! My bristlenose on the other hand is usually out and about.

The clown plec is a panaque and feasts mainly on wood rather than algae, so you must provide bogwood. it is not effective as a clean up crew, leaving more bits of poo and chewed wood around than you would imagine possible, and so if it is algae removal you are after go for shrimp or snails instead of a clown plec.

 

[bmonki]

If you ever want to see them, I would stick with the ancistrus/bristlenose. My clown hides away 99.9% of the time, although when you do spot him it's like a treat! My bristlenose on the other hand is usually out and about.

The clown plec is a panaque and feasts mainly on wood rather than algae, so you must provide bogwood. it is not effective as a clean up crew, leaving more bits of poo and chewed wood around than you would imagine possible, and so if it is algae removal you are after go for shrimp or snails instead of a clown plec.

I keep forgetting that they normally hide, our two are pretty brave

 

[SteM]

I think ill go with a bristle nose, I have some assasins keeping it tidy, and corys, I just think the plecos are great

 

[sadguppy]

Bristlenoses are great little guys

However, before you commit I would take some time to look at Plant Catfish's Cat-elog (heh, heh) http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/

There is a whole world of plecs out there that would be suited to life in a 180l tank if it wasn't too heavily stocked. I have one of these colourful guys http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/species.php?species_id=210 in my 200l - he's not even two inches at the moment but should max out about the 7 inch mark - which isn't exactly a two foot tankbuster.