I have a 29g tank with 11 Cardinal tetras. I want to get a colorful pleco that would help keep the algae down in my tank. Can anyone offer any suggestions?
Looking for a colorful pleco
- Thread starter carttman
- Start date
Most plecos are not really colorful. Of those that do have some flash, few are herbivores.
If you're looking for a cleaner of algae, another fish probably isn't the best option. The algae eaters have their own requirements that must be met, and very tanks are suitable for providing them with enough food (without supplementation).
Try adding plants to compete with algae, reduce the lighting if unplanted, make sure you are not overfeeding and increase the cleaning you do.
If you're looking for a cleaner of algae, another fish probably isn't the best option. The algae eaters have their own requirements that must be met, and very tanks are suitable for providing them with enough food (without supplementation).
Try adding plants to compete with algae, reduce the lighting if unplanted, make sure you are not overfeeding and increase the cleaning you do.
MOst of the fancier plecos arne't algae eaters. If you want a algae eater then get a Bristlenose pleco.There are some varieties of BN that are quite nice looking. The starlight BN is black with white spots. The white seam BN has a white strip down the dorsal. But these are harder to find.
But if you jsut want a pleco because you think they are cool(no algae eating) then your options open up a bit.
But if you jsut want a pleco because you think they are cool(no algae eating) then your options open up a bit.
I don't have a problem with algae in my tank. Right now I also have a common pleco in the tank that I forgot to mention. He is about four inches right now. I was looking for another pleco to replace him with when he gets too big. I feed him zucchini, and cucumber slices along with algae wafers. Could he be the reason why I do not have any algae in my tank. Also, does this open up my options all little?
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
I have a lemon spotted green pleco that's pretty colorful and is thriving on the same foods as my common was when they shared the tank. I believe these guys get in and around 10", not sure if that's a good size for your tank but if you're planning on going bigger, you should look into these.
I have a clown pleco, but I'm not sure how great an algae eater it is yet since it has only been there about 3 days. It is cute, about 3" long, with tan stripes.
You might also want to consider 3 or 4 otocinclus since they're great algae eaters, stay small, and although not colorful are active during the day and just a lot of fun.
Eric
You might also want to consider 3 or 4 otocinclus since they're great algae eaters, stay small, and although not colorful are active during the day and just a lot of fun.
Eric
Royalty
I just picked up a Royal Pleco last night. It's very pretty, has stripes that run down the length of the fish and it's eyes are a nice red color. You might want to look for one of these. As stated in previous posts, most of the fancier plecos aren't herbivorous, but if you don't have an algae problem then it shouldn't matter. I got this one for under $25 and it's almost 3 inches long.
I just picked up a Royal Pleco last night. It's very pretty, has stripes that run down the length of the fish and it's eyes are a nice red color. You might want to look for one of these. As stated in previous posts, most of the fancier plecos aren't herbivorous, but if you don't have an algae problem then it shouldn't matter. I got this one for under $25 and it's almost 3 inches long.
royal plecos are pretty but will outgrow a 29. might take a while but they get big. im also not sure if theyre the most durable of plecos. i just had mine die from a small ick outbreak in the tank. i cured everyone else of it but he just couldnt shake the ick.
try clown plecos, zebra plecos, king tiger plecos, peppermint plecos, snowballs, butterfly plecos.
ive been looking at plecos alot lately to replace the royal that dies. got a queen arabesque today and its a very pretty fish.
look at planet catfish, lots of pleco info and pictures there.
like was mentioned alot of plecos arent the best algae munchers. if your looking to clean algae id say a few ottos and a handfull of amano shrimp would do the job and the shrimp are neat to watch jet around. plus those are alot cheaper than the flashy plecos.
try clown plecos, zebra plecos, king tiger plecos, peppermint plecos, snowballs, butterfly plecos.
ive been looking at plecos alot lately to replace the royal that dies. got a queen arabesque today and its a very pretty fish.
look at planet catfish, lots of pleco info and pictures there.
like was mentioned alot of plecos arent the best algae munchers. if your looking to clean algae id say a few ottos and a handfull of amano shrimp would do the job and the shrimp are neat to watch jet around. plus those are alot cheaper than the flashy plecos.
My Royal cleans my tank like crazy. He's about 1.25" and has cleaned off all of my rocks in the tank. He's a beautiful fish as well. Right now I only have a Clown and Royal, I'm workin' on gettin' alot more. And to the guy who mentioned the Zebra above...hahaha, you tell me where in the hell you can get one and I'll buy it in a second! And the Zebra would probably be the most delicate out of all the ones you listed 
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