Alternatives to a Pleco?

J

jmattingly

AC Members
Jan 22, 2006
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Aurora, CO
I've got a VERY large pleco in my tank (125 gallons). The fish is a good 14 to 15 inches. He strips every plant that I put into the tank, and generally thrashes around enough that everything else gets knocked around.

I know he's a good tank cleaner. I haven't really had any issues with the tank getting overly dirty... except as a by-product of his diet.

I also have two, small catfish in this tank. I'm wondering if those two guys could handle the clean up duties if I were to get rid of the Pleco?

I've got several fish that I'm not so sure they belong in this tank. I know the Silver Scat needs to be moved to a brackish/salt water tank. I'm actually looking for someone locally (Denver) to take him. Now, I'm considering letting the pleco go as well. With those two LARGE, somewhat mis-placed fish gone, I could concentrate more on having multiple, smaller fish that wouldn't destroy everything.

Are there any reasons why I should absolutely keep the pleco in this tank? Anyone in/around Denver looking for a sea monster?

Joe
 
Large plecos are not good cleaners. Varies with species, but the commons actually go to a more meaty diet as they mature, leaving algae alone. They are cool fish, but not cleaners at all.
 
depending on the size of the other fish in the tank, you could get a little fleet of otos to clean algae, or corydoras to be bottomfeeders and pick up food the others miss. different species of corydoras range from 1.5" up to 5" long. otos usually stay around 1.5-2"
 
I tend to agree..typically large plecos will change their diet somewhat and may not clean as well as when it was smaller.
there are other species of plecos that don't get too large and do a great job with algae..the bristlenosed for instance may only reach 6" in length but do a fantastic job on algae and with out disrupting the tank.
otocinclus(oto's) also will do a great job...and you could run a large school of them in that tank..LOL
 
Orion girl is right, the large plecos get lazy and will basically ignore algae. Young bristlenose will eat algae like crazy, stay small, breed easily and don't have 12" poop ropes training behind them.
 
racingjason said:
... and don't have 12" poop ropes training behind them.
Click to expand...

That is one of the big reasons why I'd love to send this guy off to someone else and get some different fish in the tank. It isn't very nice to look at those ropes clinging to plants in the tank. I'm also certain that he is a major contributor to my nitrite/nitrate levels.

Now, if I can just find someone interested in a fish that large. He's too big for the toilet. :joke: Just kidding.
 
Yeah really larger plecos are more of a pet to keep because you like plecos, not because you want a long term cleaner. I ADORE plecos, and that's the only reason I keep my guy, Al. He is a MESSY little fish. He has a corner of the tank where he puts all his poop and it is constantly FILTHY!.

It's a preference thing I guess.

Best of luck!

Jade
 
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