greedy goldfish

[momnatur]

I dropped a sinking wafer in the tank to feed my pleco who is doing such a nice job of cleaning the glass, and the goldfish snarfed it all up! How do I make sure my plec is getting enough nutrition? (And is there a way to tell male plecos from female?)

Andrea Z and the Z Zoo

 

[anonapersona]

Shouldn't have a pleco with a goldfish anyhow. Hungry pleco may go after goldfish slime coat.

Goldfish are good algae eaters, just scrape the walls AFTER a water change, the goldfish will suck up all that algae.

 

[momnatur]

So should I move the pleco to my other tank and let the goldies go for the algae? The other tank just has mollies and a Betta at this point.

Andrea Z and the Z Zoo

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Pleco's are usually more active at night while a Goldfish just circles the tank at night in a "stand by" mode, so try feeding your pleco at the opposite end of the tank when the goldfish isnt look at night. It should work, we can only hope.

I agree though, goldfish and plecos dont really get along, especially when the pleco grows up and starts sucking on the goldfish's great-tasting slime coat.

 

[anonapersona]

Re: re:greedy goldfish

Originally posted by momnatur
So should I move the pleco to my other tank and let the goldies go for the algae? The other tank just has mollies and a Betta at this point.

Yes, that would be great. Goldfish should be in tanks with only other goldfish, only of the same kind/body shape/fins/eyes, and with 10 to 20 gallons per fish. The pleco with be fine with the other fish.