I say pleco in the sense that “everyone” seems to have at least one, if not one per tank... (so I guess sumthin fishy, I am thinking per tank, not necessarily numbers, otherwise it would have to be some sort of schooling fish that would win)
when I first started my tank, I did not have a pleco and ever couple weeks or so I would clean off one side the tank that was exposed to direct sunlight. (only so much you can do when in a dorm room) It was not a problem for me, but everyone came in saying get one of those sucker mouth fish, my mom, my aunt… my whoever has one and does wonders eating the algae.
A few months back I was setting up a JD tank and was asking advice about this and that from people at another site. I never mentioned plecos but they were giving me advice about the best kind to put with them.
It seems to me that with whatever kind of fish you keep… Gouramis, Angels, Catfish, or Chiclids… people are always trying to figure out what pleco goes with them. Not always, just pretty often.