Is my pleco too big for my tank??

[steffi0122]

I have a 5.5 gallon tank with a betta, a cory, a pleco and a couple dwarf frogs. I think that the pleco is getting too big for the tank ( my god they grow fast)! The guy at the fish store where i buy my fish said that he would take him back when he gets too big and trade me for a smaller one but i am wondering if pleco's are such a good idea for me in the first place. I really like the idea of an algae eater in my tank, but i don't know what kind will go well with the betta. I know that there are some that don't get as big as the pleco's do and maybe that would be a better option for me. I am just concerned about it's compatibility with my betta. The pleco that i have now seems to get along just fine with him...but what about other algae eaters? Does anyone have any exerience in this area? Any comments that could help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[dethjam316]

i believe this question has already been answered for you several times, but i'm bored. so...

no, a pleco is not a good idea for a 5.5g tank. they need AT LEAST 20g to start with, and even that is pushing it. so i would exchange him for an oto or two. someone who keeps them can comment better than i on the number to get, etc., but these are basically dwarf plecos that stay extremely tiny and do a better job eating algae anyway. they usually get along with all other fish.

ok, here's the thread:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19611

[MonoSebaelover]

I am closing this thread as your question has already been answered in the post on the bottom of this page.
A pleco is not a good choice for a 5.5g tank. I would suggest returning him immeidatly and if you are so desperate for an Algae eater then do as dethjam said and go with the Otocinclus.