So Long, Pleco.

C

cambro

AC Members
Nov 7, 2004
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Well, I originally posted here about my bloated pleco and learned a lot about euthanasia and fish but did not do it. Our pleco hung in there for several weeks but never seemed to recover after deflating. He didn't eat much or hide or swim. But he didn't seem to be in pain (how does one know?) and he finally died during the night last night. My son is devastated but we will bury him outside and put a nice painted rock on his grave. It's a good lesson for him - he has lost lots of fish but this one upset him the most - maybe because it is bigger? I will not get another one because our tank is 20 gallons and I've learned that this is just not adequate for a pleco. I'm thinking chinese algae eaters (the algae is getting out of hand!!!)? Is that the same as a 'dwarf suckermouth catfish" as we have listed in this book we have? Anyway, just wanted to update you on the bloated pleco! Have a nice day everyone!
 
I'd go with one of the ancistrus instead--about the same size, but the identification issue is not a problem (no worried you'll bring home an SAE instead), and are very good algae consumers. They do need a cave to hide out in, but are generally compatible in most community setups.
 
I agree w/ OrionGirl. Or perhaps go w/ a Rubber-lipped pleco. They stay relatively small(~5" max) and are quite personable. But plecos and algea eating fish are not really the answers for out of control aglea. Sounds like you need to reduce feeding and reduce the time your lights are on. Those are the 2 biggest causes of algea.
 
Well, I only feed once a day and have not been doing a lot of algae pellets since no one was eating them - not even the cories. My lights are only on for about 7-8 hours a day - is that too much? Would one of these algae killing products help?
 
Archangel said:
I agree w/ OrionGirl. Or perhaps go w/ a Rubber-lipped pleco. They stay relatively small(~5" max) and are quite personable.
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Rubber-lips are pretty cool if you can find them. And they don't really get too large.
 
Definately don't get a Chinese Algae Eater, they get large and are mean to other fish. I'd get an ancistrius pleco (Bristlenose) :)
 
Hillstream Loaches work well too and look like little Stingrays :)

But the most diligant algae eater is prolly an Oto, but they only get two inches so you should prolly get a few.
 
How often do you do water changes? Algae blooms happen only when there is an abundance of food--nitrate levels? Phosphates?
 
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