Exotic Plecs - Which to go for?

[richandzhaoyan]

Ok guys I'd like some opinions.

My 240l tank has been up and running for over six months now and is well planted and stocked with Boseman Rainbows, a pair of dwarf neon gouramis, a handful of zebra danios, a trio of platies, five glass catfish and five yo-yos. In way of catfish I have one bristlenose cat, and three ottos.

I am lusting after an exotic plec..... Currently my most local fish stores have several golden nuggets and one royal pleco available. What I am wondering is how will they settle into the tank? I had a nasty experience when I introduced the bristlenose as it fought and inflicted a mortal wound on the female bristlenose I first had. This was kind of depressing but obviousley if I introduce a potentially £40 fish I don't want any more quarrels!!

So, I would like to know two things, firstly do you think its a good idea to shell out on one of these beuties and secondly which is your preferred, the gold nugget, the Royal or should I hold out/order in a Zebra??

By the way, in theory the tank should be fine with plenty of hiding places/caves and several large pieces of driftwood.

Any previous experience or thoughts very welcome as ever, your advice has proved invaluble in the past, thanks once again.

[clayt101]

If my calculations are correct, your aquarium is about 63 gallons. If so, the Royal will get too large for it. Zebras are very pretty, but very expensive, and they really like to hide. I really think that they should be kept in species aquariums, because they don't compete for food very well.
That leaves the gold nugget. Personally, I find gold nuggets to be kind of week when imported. This has been discussed several times on differnent boards. Many people have had great success with these fish. I have not:( . I do however, assume that the price of these fish should be much cheaper than the zebra and probably slightly cheaper than the Royal. With that in mind, I would go for the Gold Nugget. I would stongly recomend quarintineing it in a seperate aquarium to make sure that is healthy and eating well. :)
Best of Luck,
Clay

[valerie]

What every you decide make sure your ph is low enough for the pleco and make sure you quarentine. Fancy plecos are wild caught and most likely will have internal parasites or other problems. Treat the fish with medicated food and keep it quarentined for atleast a few weeks(i do it for 3-4weeks). Make sure it look healthy. No sunken or distended belly, no sunken eyes.

fancy plecos can be hard fish to keep it you dont have the right conditions or dont' get good stock.

[wayne]

Gold nugget. Get one that has been at the lfs for as long as possible (months preferably) and looks healthy. Find out what they're feeding it. Which shop in Stroud?