How many Plecos?

[Orion]

I have a new 20 gallon long that is being set up as a planted tank. I say new, but it has finished cycling and been set up for a month. I have a 4 in common pleco in there right now, but would like to put a more ornimental pleco in. Thinking mabey a clown pleco, but I dont want one that is going to out grow the tank.

Would it hurt anything haveing different species of plecos in the same tank? Only looking to add one more pleco.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

No, the clown will not outgrow the tank, but the common pleco most definitely will as it will grow to be over a foot big. I would trade it back to the store for the clown.

 

[Orion]

I know my common pleco will. I have a 45 waiting on him when he gets a bit bigger. And when he is ready for a bigger one, we will have a house by then and at least a 125 gal tank. (Wishfull thinking never hurt anybody!) Anyways, I would never give the little guy up, bought him last january(2002) when he wanst even an inch!

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

In that case, clowns, bristlenoses, and rubbers will stay around 5".

 

[catfishmike]

don't forget that many plecos are teritorial and may not tolerate compition for food so if you mix and match keep an eye on them.

 

[Orion]

Thanks. Thats what I was thinking. I might get one close to the size of the one I have and see how it goes. If it doesnt work out, I can always put one in one of my other tanks.

 

[wayne]

1 per square foot of tank works well for most plecos up to 6 inches. Extra wood and caves helps too.

 

[Orion]

Works for me. I have a 20 long, so I can handle 2 plecos. LFS also has whats called a sail fin, or Hi fin Pleco. Very nice looking, going to do some research today and see what I cant come up with.

 

[izabeau]

My brother has a 20 gallon tank with a rubber-lipped pleco and a golden nugget pleco and they get along great. The rubber is only about 2 inches long, and the nugget is about 4 inches. I know he'll eventually have to get a bigger tank, but for now they work well with his 6 tiger barbs.

 

[Brobro]

sail fin plecos get huge! about the same size of a common!

maybe a zebra pleco would work well, however they are quite terrortorial at most times and they are also quite expensive, but they are beauties!