Which Pleco

[freerunner416]

Ok,

I already have a common plec and everybody is telling me that i shouldnt have it within a 20 gallon tank and i appreciate that fact and once it grows too pic i will trade it in for a smaller version.

My question is this:

What plecs will work as hard as a common plec, look not too bad and not cost the earth to buy??
Is there anything else which will "eat" up the algae quickly? (i had thought of algae eaters but amen't keen on them)

I have another 20 gallon tank which needs something in to clean up the algae so am needing to get a plec quite soon.

If anybody has any small ones they are selling PM me please

Thanks for your help

Craig

PS i do clean the glass myself

 

[Rocky32189]

A 20 Gallon is pretty small so you may only be able to get by with a Bristlenose. Plecos aren't as great algae eaters as the LFS will tell you. What other fish do you have in there? You may be over your stocking limit as it is.

I'd find a new home for that common soon. I don't know how big he's in but that 20 Gallon is way too small. Plecos are very messy. He must be throwing your nitrates through the roof (unless he's really tiny).

 

[freerunner416]

A 20 Gallon is pretty small so you may only be able to get by with a Bristlenose.

I'd find a new home for that common soon. I don't know how big he's in but that 20 Gallon is way too small. Plecos are very messy. He must be throwing your nitrates through the roof (unless he's really tiny).

Thanks he is quite small. Whats the diference between a bristle nose and a common plec then?

 

[dwarfgourami]

The bristlenose (ancistrus) is a smaller plec; the male has a bush of bristles on his face, the female only has small bristles round her mouth; they grow to about 5-6 inches depending on exact species; they eat algae but also need to be fed (cucumber, zucchini, algae wafers) and need a bit of bogwood in the tank; also, caves to hide in. I have found them efficient algae eaters and very appealing pets; they are out in the day and quite active. They do make a lot of mess, like all plecs, so even though a bristlie is smaller, he will put a bit of a strain on the filtration of a 20 gallon and you will have to work on keeping the substrate clean. If you buy one, try to get one of a decent size, as the babies can be difficult to acclimatise.

 

[KathyM]

I think 20g might be a bit too small for a BN as they can grow to 6" (ommon BNs at least). Ancistrus Claro doesn't grow as bit, and Otos are meant to be fairly good tank leaners.

 

[Fat Boy]

Your best bet is a Rubbernose Plec, usually don't grow much over 4 inches. Not as good at eating algae as the BN but pretty good none the less.