Smallest Pleco? And need more info....

O

Opicana

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May 13, 2006
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Toledo, Ohio
I am currently working on a heavily planted (low tech) 72g fw community.

My guy really likes plecos (or in his words the fish whose mouths stick to the glass) and would like me to add some. However, I know very little about them.

A couple questions:

1) What is the smallest pleco available and how big does it grow? I am interesting in small species for this tank (tetras, pgymy cories, etc...)

2) Are there any species they do not get along with?

3) Do they have any special needs?

4) Are they more comfortable in schools? Or is it possible to get 1 or 2 individuals?

I'm going to have a few schools in there already, so I am not comfortable w/ adding yet another whole school, but will consider them if I can just add a few.

Thanks!
Kara
 
You best bet for easily available species are probably the Ancistrus spp. bristlenose plecos, or clown plecos Panaque spp. or Peckoltia spp. They are both good community fish and both usually average 3-5". They do will individually or in groups, they largely ignore each other except for breeding IMO.

If you're looking for something even smaller, Otocinclus spp. are another good option. Usually closer to 1-1.5", they tend to appreciate groups of at least 3-4. A tank that size could probably support 4-6 of them.
 
I would highly recommend the Bristlenose Pleco or Clown Pleco. They are usually easily found. The males have the spikes on the nose, the females do not. If considering a clown pleco Panaque spp. driftwood is required as part of it's diet. Bristlenose and clown plecos can be kept alone, so no need for a group. Both do very well with community fish.
 
Thanks for all your replies! This tank will have plenty of driftwood, so that is not a problem. I'm very glad they seem to do fine individually, I will look into the species you suggested.
 
If you are serious about finding "small" plecos, look for Ancistrus claro. They stay about half the size of most bristlenose and are very attractive. A school of otocinclus bebopping around in a planted tank cleaning to their little hearts content is really a thing of beauty though. I think you might enjoy it more than you think ;).

Barbie
 
How will my pygmy cories feel about a school of oto's taking up their turf, though? I love otos and think they are adorable...but I just thought that'd be too much overlap....which is why I was considering 1 or 2 plecos.
 
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