common pleco + dojo loaches and cories?

paperdragon

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Mar 7, 2008
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I've been a bit worried about my 11" common pleco that was given to me with my turtle. I've been keeping him in the turtle tank because I'm not sure how he'd react to the other bottom dwellers in the 75g, but the turtle has a tendency to push him around, steal his food, and climb all over him. I don't think he's getting the kind of nutrition he needs.

So, would I be able to keep him in the 75g with 3 dojo loaches, 3 albino cories, and some guppies (5 adults, 2 juvies and a pile of fry)?
 
So you don't think there'd be any compatibility issues? I don't want to take any chances with my loaches. That pleco has about 10 times the body mass of the largest dojo.
 
Hmm, yeah, I can see where it could cause a mini-cycle adding him. That and the fact that my filtration is slightly less than 400gph total - hasn't been a problem with the tank being well under its stocking capacity. I won't be able to get a new filter until around Christmas...

Think anyone would want to pay shipping for a big pleco?... and send me shipping supplies? lol :o
 
My tank stays between 73-74F (max temp for dojos is 77F), and planetcatfish lists the temp range for common plecos at 69.8-78.8°F, so I don't really see that as too big of an issue.
 
My tank stays between 73-74F (max temp for dojos is 77F), and planetcatfish lists the temp range for common plecos at 69.8-78.8°F, so I don't really see that as too big of an issue.

The maximum temperature they can live at is far from their preferred temperature which is closer to about 64F. That is a pretty big difference. Keeping them at higher temperatures dramatically reduces their lifespan. Please read this page for more information about keeping them...

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/weather-loach-misgurnis-anguillicaudatus
 
Thanks, but I've read that page dozens of times, and also talked to the folks on the forums there. The people that wrote the article seem to think 74 is fine (it never gets above that, and yes, I did mention my tank temps when I was asking them if dojos would work in my tank), and I'm not aware of any of them using chillers for their dojo tanks, which is the only way to keep a tank at 64f in the summer in most states.
 
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