Oscar and Pleco... Need Feedback

[GEV83]

Ok I was looking at different pleco's to put with my Oscar. I can put my L-001 with my Oscar or buy a different pleco. Other pleco's I have in mind are a L-114 L-090 and a Rhino Pleco. Im trying to decide on one.

The Oscar will be homed in a 75gal with 2 Aquaclear 110's for filtration. So I think filtration is fine. I read that L-090 get like 15-16" L-114 gets bout 9" and the Rhino gets 10-12". My L-001 is roughly 9" I think its done growing they get 9-12". So which would be best???

They would be the only inhabitants in the tank I dont want any other fish with them.

[fishylab]

How big is the Oscar?

[GEV83]

Oscar is bout 3-3.5"

[ianab]

I would go with L001.

It's big enough now so that even an adult Oscar wont mistake it for a feeder, so it will have no worries with a small Oscar in the tank. They are also pretty fiesty and wont put up with any crap from the Oscar. The smaller Oscar will quickly learn not to hassle the pleco, and hopefully remember this as it gets older.

If you add a new smaller pleco there is a good chance that the Oscar will grow faster and get to the stage where it thinks it can eat the pleco.

The L090 is a panaque (wood eater) and probably quite a slow grower. Start then both at 2" and you may end up with a 3" pleco and 8" Oscar, not so good.

The L114 is actually a carnivore, and would need to compete directly with the Oscar for it's food, so not a good mix there, the Oscar will get the food first every time.

The Rhino is closely related to your L001, and a large one would be fine, but a small one would be risky.

So in the end.. the L001 is best candidate, and wont outgrow a 75gal.

Ian

[Lady G]

Personally, I think they would be fine.

[Digital]

Plecos are dirty fish just like oscars, make sure you keep up on big water changes for that tank.

[ChileRelleno]

I've a adult O and Sev in my 75gal, filtration is two AC110s and a Cascade 1200.
I have to do weekly 75%+ PWCs and bi-weekly filter maintenance to keep NO3 below 40ppm.
The Sev is no where, no how, near as big and messy as the L-001 Gold Spot Pleco will be.
L-001, just like the vast majority of Plecos, is a feces factory.
Sure, its no problem as juveniles, but both will be large adults within 1-2yrs.
You'll need to be one diligent SOB to keep water quality acceptable.
Not saying it can't be done, it can, but it'll be work.

[GEV83]

I've a adult O and Sev in my 75gal, filtration is two AC110s and a Cascade 1200.
I have to do weekly 75%+ PWCs and bi-weekly filter maintenance to keep NO3 below 40ppm.
The Sev is no where, no how, near as big and messy as the L-001 Gold Spot Pleco will be.
L-001, just like the vast majority of Plecos, is a feces factory.
Sure, its no problem as juveniles, but both will be large adults within 1-2yrs.
You'll need to be one diligent SOB to keep water quality acceptable.
Not saying it can't be done, it can, but it'll be work.

Ummmm weird your having so many probs with your NO3. Mine rarely hits 10ppm. I had my L-001 with 3 silver dollars 7 Giant Danios and 2 Parachromis loisellei's. My Filtration is 2 AC110's. Also im fully aware that pleco's are messy and fully aware Oscars are messy as well. Ive owned both just never together.





Thanks Ian for the info. I was actually thinking a L-114 would be the better of the group I was choosing from but yeah its true that it would get out competed. Didnt think bout that. Also I got a rhino pleco now two of them actually and the bigger one is roughly 5-6".

Also I didnt take into consideration bout the pleco's growth rates. I know that the Rhino can grow fast just like a L-001 can and just like a gibbiceps can but never thought bout the slower growth rate of a panaque.

Ill let you all know what I end up doing. As for now my L-001 is in a tub with 2 baby pleco's because my loisellei's messed up his fins. I put the bigger rhino in with the loisellei's and it seems fine its camoflauge is remarkable against the driftwood. I was lookin for him and as i kept looking all over I realized it was right infront of my eyes.