Bristlenose Pleco with a Red Tailed Shark?

[tomm10]

Will this work? I'm thinking of a bristlenose in a 29 gallon whose other inhabitants will be 6-7 danios, 6 pygmy corys and a Red Tailed Black Shark.

My concern is that the RTBS would be territorial with anything that hangs out on the bottom.

Also, do these guys do okay alone or do they need the company of other plecos?

 

[andruboz]

in my experience, the rtbs goes after things that have a similar shape- chinese algea eaters rainbow sharks, anything long and slender.

my rtbs doesnt spend all that much time at the bottom. i'm guessing your rtbs will spend most of its time chasing the danios, and the bristlenose will pretty much sit at the bottom under a piece of driftwood until the lights go out. then it will come out for chow.

my rtbs is almost 5" and would run out of room to cruise in a tank only 30x13.

 

[Misskiwi67]

Bushynose plecos tend to be tough enough to get their own territory. Whoever is bigger will have the best spot, and the other fish will pick the second best spot. My bushynose and RT Shark know who's the boss, and each have their own hidey hole under the driftwood. I think a bushynose would be fine in your tank. Be sure to feed them well, they're voracious, and the best algae eater around. A bushynose would also be perftect pleco for your 29 gallon because they don't get very big. If you like the face, get a male. If the feelers creep you out, get a female... they're super cute.

 

[Captain Hook]

I agree with misskiwi. The shark shouldn't bother the pleco one bit. andruboz that is one thick rtbs!

Edit: The pleco should also be fine alone. I have kept them by themselves before with no problems. Be aware they are poop machines though.

 

[TKOS]

My brother has kept those 2 together with no problems in his tank. Make sure to keep some driftwood for the pleco and he will be happy hanging out there a lot of the time.