Which Plec Does Not Get Massive?

[gearyboy]

29 gallon tank, want a plec (or sucker fish as I call them) to put in but worried that some get massive. Which of them stay a resonable size for a 29 gallon tank?

Cheers Matt

 

[rdd1952]

There are several dwarf plecos such as the bristlenose/brushy nose that only get to about 4 or 5 inches.

 

[gearyboy]

What do you think about a clown pleco?

 

[modernhamlet]

What do you think about a clown pleco?

Along with the bristlenose, the clown plec would be one of the two logical commonly available choices in a 29g. What are the other inhabitants?

 

[gearyboy]

I have 5 papper catfish, 5 guppys, 7 zebra danios, 2 mollies. The pleco will be the last one as I think Im close to capacity. I wont be getting the pleco till after xmas - Im just doing some research at the mo!

 

[rdd1952]

That is another of the dwarfs and would definitely work in a 29 gallon. Also a pretty one. Keep in mind that plecos are messier than most fish so even a small one will create a bigger bioload than a normal 5" fish.

 

[gearyboy]

Keep in mind that plecos are messier than most fish so even a small one will create a bigger bioload than a normal 5" fish.

I never knew that thank you very much! Am I correct in saying Im close to capacity?

 

[modernhamlet]

Keep in mind that plecos are messier than most fish so even a small one will create a bigger bioload than a normal 5" fish.

I never knew that thank you very much! Am I correct in saying Im close to capacity?

Pretty close. The little plec would round the tank out nicely. By "papper catfish" do you mean Peppered cories?

 

[gearyboy]

Pepper catfish is what I meant to put. thats what they were called in LFS

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Another type of small plec you could get would be a candy striped plec, they only get to 4inchs and are very attractive;

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loric...ckolti/75_F.PHP

A clown/ringlet plec is also a similar small plec;

http/www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/loric...naque/734_F.PHP

There are hundreds of types of small growing plecs but many of them are rare and hard to find available in your average lfs, so it is difficult to advise you many small plec types as the main question is wether you have them available to you or not- although you can always ask your lfs to get a particular fish in stock if they don't have it already, they should be able to do so .

 

[gearyboy]

Thank you to everyone for there help!

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

Another option would be to get a group of 3 otocinclus as they only grow 2 inches long and are brilliant at eating algae.

Emma

 

[gearyboy]

Thats what I need really to finish off my tank a good algae eater, any more suggestions?

 

[modernhamlet]

Thats what I need really to finish off my tank a good algae eater, any more suggestions?

If you need an algae eater, 3 or 4 otos is definitely the way to go.

Just make very very sure your parameters are good and the tank has been stable for awhile before adding them.

 

[mandi]

If you need an algae eater, 3 or 4 otos is definitely the way to go.

Just make very very sure your parameters are good and the tank has been stable for awhile before adding them.

They're definitely sensitive little buggers, but once they're established, they're amazing alage eaters!

Also, if possible, check with the LFS to see how long they've had the otos in stock and look for chubby otos.
A fat oto = a happy oto!! (And they do get *really* round little bellies sometimes - so darn cute!)