First Pleco's... never see them, not eating algae

A

Akysten

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May 28, 2006
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I THINK that I have a Bushynose Pepperment Pleco... He's been in the tank for 2 days, but he's still not seen. When I first put him in, he went to work on some of the algae, but then disapeared and hasn't been seen since Do they start working their magic on the algae after they feel safe and comfortable? I know it took my clown loaches a week to come out of hiding.

I bought another pleco for my other tank, he's at LEAST made an appearance, but the situation is similar. I know they are shy by nature... but It would be nice to see some algae gone from my tank.
 
I think bushy nose and peppermint pleco's are diffrent species,
I could be wrong but it depends on the pleco
 
Peppermint plecs and bushy nose plecs are two different types. Peppermint plecs are almost black in appearance with white dots. Bushy nose plecs have many "bristles" coming from the area near their mouth.
Bristle Nose:
Ancistrus_bristlenose_2.jpg

Peppermint:
Peppermint2.jpg


Plecs are night time feeders. My pleco is most active late night - early morning before the light turns on (and before anyone is out in the living room).
 
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yup i second that, most plecos i know are nocturnal, try observing if its active during night time :duh:
 
The tank called it a bushy nose. It has a FEW very small "bristles".
It's a "spotted" bushynose, but that's not how I've seen them in photos.
I'm just saying this because algae is growing on the tank walls and he's apparently happy with just the driftwood!
 
Akysten said:
The tank called it a bushy nose. It has a FEW very small "bristles".
It's a "spotted" bushynose, but that's not how I've seen them in photos.
I'm just saying this because algae is growing on the tank walls and he's apparently happy with just the driftwood!
Click to expand...
Juveniles won't have very pronounced bristles.

Not all plecs are glass cleaning algae machines (most plecs are omnivores). It also depends on how much you supplement their diet with other items (wafers & such). If you feed them too much, they will rely on that for food and not take care of the tank. Not saying you shouldn't feed your plec though. ;)

My common plec (aka Snow King) does a great job. They are known for this though. He gets fed every other day (several wafers; he's 11-12" now).

Just my $.02...
 
Well, I was told it was a bushy nose.. that's the label, and he has a few. They're supposed to be good algae eaters.
I THINK the common pleco I have in my other tank is doing a good job. He's also very young, and will quickly outgrow my small tank.

I'll give him a week or so..
 
There's many species of bushynoses.... it could be a Starlight Bushynose, which are kinda blackish with white dotting...

http://www.planetcatfish.com

Go to the Catelog, sort it by the Loricaridaes, and chances are you will find him in with the other Ancistrus species
 
I have a 9 inch Pleco and the only reason he's seen is because his body is so large, it protrudes out of wherever he's trying to hide. I really CAN'T STAND this type of fish but I needed something to attack the algae growing on my glass. I also thought that he would scavenge at night for any leftover food but he does NEITHER and only ADDS to the waste with his ENORMOUS poops. I had two Plecos previously that I got rid off and now, I'm looking to do the same with this one. What a waste of cash for this 'ghost' of a fish.
 
Get off your lazy butts and scrub your own algae!!!

Plecos should not be used as indentured servants.
 
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