Anyone have a clown pleco W/O driftwood in tank?

MikefromNH

MikefromNH

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Nov 21, 2004
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I was looking for a pleco the other day and the LFS suggested a clown because they don't get very big. The LFS never asked if there was driftwood in the tank which I've heard is essential to have for the clown as they eat it.

When I put it in there, it swam down to the bottom, tasted some of the sand, sucked on the glass for a second and hid under my airstone. I haven't seen him swimming around since and there is the same amount of algae in the tank. I understand they are noctournal but I don't think he has moved from the underside of the airstone.

Has anyone had any luck keeping the clown pleco in a tank without driftwood? There is PLENTY of algae for him/her to eat.

Any ideas?
 
AFAIK they need driftwood - it supplies something they don't get from eating plants/algae/fish food that's essential to their health.
If you're not fond of the look of driftwood you could get a very small piece and hide it behind some plants or decorations - that way his needs are met, and you're not seeing something you don't like in your tank.
He'll probably be shy for a while. He'll be more secure if he has a hiding place of his own - it could be a piece of wood, a PVC pipe, a clay pot or rock cave. My bristlenose was shy for about two weeks, he even hid from the other fish. Now he's the boldest little guy - he comes out of hiding the second I open the lid to put food in the tank and defends his algae wafers as though his life depends on it. :D
 
I bough a piece of mopani wood and just read something about where they don't like this type of wood. ???? Mine does not eat algae, so don't expect that. You would be better off with the rubber lip pleco or a bushynose pleco.
Mine has a steady diet of spiurlina and bottom feeder tabs. He hides under the wood and will come out after the aquarim lights are off. I'm sure yours is wandering in the night as mine does, but by morning he's in his daytime napping place. You can add one of those hardwood bird pirches, from the bird department, or the wood with a slate attatched in the terrarium section of most LFS, just wedge it into the tank near where he hides.
But, wood is a staple in their diet, yes.
 
ahhhh........yeah, that picture is a bit....weird. Thanks for the link, though. I'll put a piece of driftwood in there and hide it behind a few plants. I do like the look of driftwood but it wouldn't look right in this particular tank.

Are we talking just a small piece, like the size of a cordless phone?

Blinky, not to sound like a computer acronym moron but what does AFAIK stand for? ;)
 
Also you have to remeber Plecos are NOT Algae eaters. They do eat algae dont get me wrong. But they prefer other foods and arent what you want to rely on to clear your tank of algae. I would recommend SAEs CAEs or Otos if thats why you got the pleco and dint get it just cause its cool.
 
I don't honestly know if the clown is a wood eater or not. some pleco's are, others just like the wood to hang on to. My Royal is a wood eater, and at 5" he eats unbelievable amounts of it. I have been told that he'll eat a 12" high peice of driftwood in 6 month, and from what I've seen I have no doubt.
dave
 
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