pleco with cichlids?
- Thread starter diane6
- Start date
yes you can. there are plenty of plecos that do just fine with africans. what kind of pleco are you wanting? what size of tank?
Definitely okay. 
Just make sure you're not overstocking and I would steer away from the expensive plecos ($30 and up) just in case a fight breaks out.
Just make sure you're not overstocking and I would steer away from the expensive plecos ($30 and up) just in case a fight breaks out.Thanks everyone! I have a 60 gallon tank, I have 10 very small (for now!) African cichlids. I have 2 plecos (in different aquariums around the house!) so I will just transfer one from one of the other tanks. I have a choice between the regular (name??) pleco that gets big and a rubberlip, but I think I will put the "regular" one in there.
Either the regular (Bristle Nose?) or the Rubber Lip should be fine. Just make sure you supplement feedings for the pleco because just the algae from the tank alone will not suffice. Also, just a word of warning -- regular plecos get HUGE. Plan towards later into the future (several years from now) to either rehome or upgrade you tank.
I will warn you that sometimes it doesn't work out. It also really depends on what type of african cichlids. Haps and peacocks will be fine but mbuna can be a gamble. Mbuna can kill smaller plecos if they feel like it and might remove the eyes of larger ones. Many people have success with keeping plecos with mbuna but sometimes it turns out bad. I just wanted to warn you.
All of my africans have done fine with whatever pleco I have put in the tank its just dont have 2 plecos in the same tank cause with age comes agression in between them. So stick with one pleco and you will be just fine.
My Africans killed my pleco. Chewed its eyes out. I would just keep an eye on them. I've seen it work for some people. It didnt work out so well for me...
Since both the African ciclids (mbuna) and the pleco are babies, would that make a difference in them getting along? Growing up together?? Maybe they would be used to eachother and not attack? (wishful thinking, I know...)
What do you use to clean acrylic? I am getting a very small amount of green algae on the front window (can only see it if I look sideways). I am guessing the magnet cleaner is way too "scratchy". Do they make one for acrylic?
What do you use to clean acrylic? I am getting a very small amount of green algae on the front window (can only see it if I look sideways). I am guessing the magnet cleaner is way too "scratchy". Do they make one for acrylic?