What's your favorite Pleco

[Torrean]

I'm thinking of getting a new pleco so I was wondering which one was your favorite and why?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Probably common, because it was the first type i got and i have got very attached to mine and his colorings are gorgeous but i would warn you that all the plecs you listed have very different max sizes; is there any particular reason why you want a plec?

 

[lilfishie]

Bristlenose plecs are just amazing and mine keep breeding
and they dont get to big

Lilfishie

 

[patti_n_jojo]

i love the clown pleco

 

[yvez9]

Common Plecs

they get so big and have a nice personnality

plus they are super cheap

 

[tank212]

I love all my plecos which include a clown pleco, two albino bristlenose plecos, and a new rubber nose pleco i got. If I could afford it I would like a true zebra which are so cool!

 

[SirMinion]

Very fond of our Royals, our Red Sternellas and our Violet, but my favourite has to be the Medusa pleco.

 

[bunjiweb]

Plecos are ace, my favourite is probably L128, the Blue Phantom Plec. It has really distinct colours and pattern, only gets to about 6" and is my favourite colour - turqoise (blue/green).

My other favourite plecs in no particular order are:

- Queen Arabesque Plec (L260)
- Zebra Plec (L046)
- Big White Spot Plec (L142)
- Magnum Plec (L047)

Just remember, plecs are for life, not just for cleaning! Pic carefully, and introduce it slowly, remember some plecs are from softer waters where Discus dwell so wont do well in high pH (above 7.5)

Ben

 

[Torrean]

My common died when I had my nitrite spike. I know I know. But I didn't when I bought the fish. Anyway It's not really my tank but I say it's mine on here because I am doing the research for it. It's my GF's and she wants another Pleco when she upgrades to a 55 so I was wondering what suggestions you guys might have. Gonna have to be A LOT smaller than a common anyway. Don't know how i'll talk her out of that. She really got excited when I found out how big they got, untill I told her she'd eventually need a 100 gal tank. LFS should tell you more about the fish your buying, or atleast ask if you've researched the fish before they let you buy them.


BTW she has her heart set on a pleco but they poop too much so I was wondering if anything else can be put in there to deal with excess algae. (snails maybe)

 

[Chrissy]

My favorites are probably Bushy nose and common plecos. My old common pleco, Peanut can be seen in my avatar. (He now lives in a 75 gallon tank w/ my uncle)

 

[sylvia]

I don't know what's in your tank but there are plenty of non-plec algae eaters - there's otos (in a group), siamese algae eaters, flying foxes, crossocheilus oblongus, false siamese algae eaters, american-flag fish, even most of the common livebearers such as mollies will nip at algae. The best algae eaters are probably the siamese algae eater though but they require at least a 30 gallon.
http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ - great for identifying the various algae eaters from the cyprinid family of fish (sharks/barbs)
http/www.azgardens.com/algae_eating_fish.php - note that the golden algae eater is unsuitable for community tanks, the skunk botia can be quite aggressive (and isn't realy an algae eater) and the 'redline shark' (redline torpedo barb) is not as peaceful as they make out and not a great algae eater - but they are incredibly beautiful and good in a big tank.

 

[sunflower]

Well I think I have to say the Gold Nugget is my favourite. I bought one about a month or so ago and I love how bright his spots are compared to his dark body.

Although I did see some gorgeous Queen Arabesque Plecs at my lfs today

 

[daza]

I got a rubbernose a little while ago and it's great. It has done a good job on the algae and has stayed small.

 

[smithrc]

Leopard frog plec (L134)
Josiline Plec (L264)

Arrhh this is hard - We've got all of ours as we like them a lot...

Goldy Plec (L114)
Para Plec (L075)
Large white spot (LDA33)
Scarlet Plec (L025) (not got this one yet as they are normally around £70 and get big...

 

[Zenn]

I like sailfin pleco, they are graceful in their movements and quite a power pack, however as gentle as a fly, i had one before and the fish accidentally nipped it from now to then confusing it with rockery and uit never moved and sometimes would warn fish off by flicking up it huge sail fin which was impressive...