Any ideas on Ghost Shrimp, Gold Fish & plecos in the same tank?

[tsifuentes]

You all will probably tire of me and my millions of questions but I need all the help I can get. I have some gold fish and some plecos. From what I've been told, the plecos usually only stay on the glass and such and don't much graze the gravel so to speak. And since gold fish are such dirty but beautiful fish, my cousin suggested getting some ghost shrimp to clean the bottom of the tank. Any suggestions? And how accurate are these testing strips? I have Jungle Amonia quick dip & Jungle 5 in 1 test strips (Nitrate, Nitrite, Hardness, Alkalinity, & pH)

[didy]

The test strips may give you a general picture, but I wouldn't trust them. Buy a liquid master kit. I wouldn't keep plecos with goldies. The plecos may attach themselves to the goldies and injure them.

[soobie]

Also, goldfish like cooler water.

[Mgamer20o0]

The test strips may give you a general picture, but I wouldn't trust them. Buy a liquid master kit. I wouldn't keep plecos with goldies. The plecos may attach themselves to the goldies and injure them.

i dont think the pleco will attach themselves to the goldfish.

test strips are not accurate.

goldfish would eat ghost shrimp.

what size tank do you have and what is all in there?

[Malefic23]

You're looking as some major incompatable fish environment wise. Goldfish like cooler water. 72 degrees. Plecos like warmer water. 80 degrees. So either your goldies will sweat, or your plecos will freeze, but neither of them will be happy.

Ghost shrimp would be a tasty meal for large plecos, or small goldfish. Either way, they would get eaten.

Plecos only suck on other fish when they are starving. If you feed your plecos algae wafer and/or zuchini/veggies, it should'nt be an issue.
Plecos also browse the substrate, even if you don't see them doing it. They generally scrub all over the place once the lights go out. They do need some driftwood to hide in though.

[tsifuentes]

Ok, Since I can't use Plecos or Ghost Shrimp, other than frequent water changes, what else can I use for the bottom of the tank. Are there any other bottom feeders compatible with gold fish and their water temps?

[jm1212]

how big is the tank?

anything smaller than 100 gallons- no

anything bigger than 100 gallons- yes

[didy]

i dont think the pleco will attach themselves to the goldfish.



Picture of the damage!-

http://www.goldfishconnection.com/articles/details.php?articleId=153&parentId=1

[Firebelly__girl]

Ive heard a weather loach could do well in a goldfish tank =) They get kinda big though, what size tank and how many goldfish do you have? Oh yeah and I would take the pleco back as they CAN do some damage to the gorgeous goldfishies!

[nickmcmechan]

fish with lovely thick slime coats can be attractive to plecos, thats what they like to suck on...i would put goldies