Ancistrus opinion & info on "bottle trap"

maxthedog123

maxthedog123

Can't have too many Tiger Barbs...
Jun 6, 2007
604
0
16
Cincinnati, OH
OK - I know this is a personal thing, but I am looking for opinions on keeping my Ancistrus or not. She is a BN pleco - really a beatiful fish. I bought her when the tank was relatively new because I liked the smaller pleco that actually eats algae. I am thinking about taking her out, honestly, because I almost never see her. Generally she only comes out from the driftwood when the moonlights are on or if I put a couple of big pieces of cucumber in the tank.

My other "cleanup crew" is 2 otos and 2 false SAE's. I guess the 5 yoyo loaches count in that department.

Opinions? Is she cleaning more algae than I think? I'm on the fence on this one.

If I do decide to take her out, can anyone point me to some info on how to make a "bottle trap"? I've seen it mentioned on some other pleco websites - something about cutting a plastic bottle a certain way and using algae wafers as a trap. I can't find a good picture or instructions.
 
She's probably doing a lot more than you think. I'm betting she just doesn't like to be seen doing it.

As for the bottle trap... just take a water bottle, cut off the neck, turn it around, and push it back into the bottom. Here's a picture of a 2-liter version.

fishtrap.jpg
 
A 3-4" BN pleco will swim in there?
 
JRH - thanks for the picture and the link. That helps. I read a description of the trap and just wasn't picturing it.

Have you used this before? Other fish, such as my yoyos, will defiitely swim in after an algae wafer. This might take some trial and error.
 
I've definitely used it for other fish, but not for an ancistrus. I'm guessing you'll have better luck if you put the trap in, turn off the lights, and don't sit there staring at the tank waiting for the ancistrus to swim in. As you've noticed, the fish seems to be shy around you.

It's entirely possible you'll catch more than just the ancistrus. :)

You might want to put some holes near, but not quite at, the bottom, to allow water to circulate. When you remove the trap, the water will pour out the holes, so don't put them in the very bottom. You want enough water for the fish to be comfortable while you're removing the trap.

Also, if you know where she hangs out, put the opening of the trap facing her.
 
Well you could always use a 3 liter bottle that you find cheap value brand soda in (walmart, foodlion). they have a larger opening.
 
so she's lazy. and shy. why not just keep her anyway? part of the fun of keeping plecos is when they come out of wherever they've been hiding for the past week or month and you get to see them and how they've grown. like some twisted sort of fishy christmas.
 
IMO there's no such thing as a lazy ancistrus. Just because you aren't seeing a nocturnal fish doesn't mean they aren't doing the job you put them in there to do.

In a 55 gallon, trapping the fish is probably overkill. Buy a big net, place it at one corner of the tank and then use your hands to sort through the plants and herd the fish to the end of the tank with the net. If you do it when the lights have been off, you're even more likely to find it immediately.

Barbie
 
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