Cichlids and plecos?

[mostlycichlids]

the plecos or the africans??

I really couldnt see a cichlid attacking a 12" long pleco... but I guess anything is possible



Thats why I said "borderline".. A smaller common would do ok in a 55g.. but generally they get much to big-- it would depend on the particular fish you have and how large it is going to get (which is hard to determine)

Uh the pleco.

 

[Istanbul_Kop]

This question always brings up so many conflicting answers.

My breeder who has been in the trade for over 35 years swears that he has never had problems keeping Bristlenose Plecs with nearly all species. Bristlenoses apparently are way more tolerant to the higher PH and pretty much keep themselves to themselves.

 

[jpappy789]

the plecos or the africans??

I really couldnt see a cichlid attacking a 12" long pleco... but I guess anything is possible

I've heard of mbuna pecking eyes out of larger plecos.

Thats why I said "borderline".. A smaller common would do ok in a 55g.. but generally they get much to big-- it would depend on the particular fish you have and how large it is going to get (which is hard to determine)

I hate to be word picky but I would say that a 55 is too small for ALL full grown commons. Even a 10" pleco should get more room than a 55 gallon IMO

This question always brings up so many conflicting answers.

My breeder who has been in the trade for over 35 years swears that he has never had problems keeping Bristlenose Plecs with nearly all species. Bristlenoses apparently are way more tolerant to the higher PH and pretty much keep themselves to themselves.

I agree, it can be done but I had to remove my BN right after introducing him to my tang tank...

 

[efors]

This question always brings up so many conflicting answers.
My breeder who has been in the trade for over 35 years swears that he has never had problems keeping Bristlenose Plecs with nearly all species. Bristlenoses apparently are way more tolerant to the higher PH and pretty much keep themselves to themselves.

Well, that's the kind of Pleco I have in my 55g with my mbunas. It has been there for 6 1/2 months now and seems to be in great health conditions. As I added it a few days before all the mbunas arrived, I think that helped it to establish well in the tank.

 

[at29st]

Thank you guys very much for your answers. Soon I will be giving away my angelfish and albino shark,to convert the tank to a lake malawi cichlid tank.

 

[efors]

Great, at29st! Keep us updated and post some pics when you have it finished.