Plecos eating my plants

[micah2012]

I learned after I purchased my Plecos that they are not good in a planted tank. Is this true? I tried supplementing their diet with the wafers but they are just completely destroying my plants. Should I return them? Or does anyone in MA want them?

 

[Lotus]

What kind of plecos are they?

I have several kinds in my planted tanks. The only one I had trouble with was a huge (11") common pleco, that ripped up all the plants. My other plecos don't eat the plants, although they will clean them of algae.

 

[bala_aquarium]

supplementing there diet with algae wafers?That is there normal diet right?plecos and planted tanks aren't a good idea.my plecos ate some plants and tore the other ones out of my gravel

 

[JustOneMore20]

I think it depends on the type of pleco. Some are herbivores, some are omnivores, and some are carnivores and shouldn't go after the plants.

I have a bristlenose and he doesn't eat my plants. The only problem I have with him is that he's a little more than 4 inches and when he zooms across the tank he will uproot any freshly planted plants.

 

[bala_aquarium]

they do that to me too

 

[Igor The Cat]

hmm...ive never had planted Pl*co problems but all ive kept are clowns, BN, and RNs.

cheers

-Java

 

[micah2012]

They are common Plecos.

 

[Igor The Cat]

ahhh thats probably it beacuse they are mostly herbavouris, but they do grow so large that they may inadvertantly damage plants.

cheers

-Java

 

[PlecoCollector]

Commons can get rather destructive in planted tanks. BNs are small enough that they usually don't break through the leaves, but Commons get large enough to do damage. Have you tried supplimenting their diet with some boiled veggies?

 

[micah2012]

I haven't tried veggies yet. They do eat the Algae wafers I provide but then they still eat my plants, lol. I think I will just get rid of them, they don't get along with my Clown loaches anyways.

 

[Illyria]

I have had 2 common Plecostumos'. 1 was 7 inches long and the other was still young. The larger Pleco never bothered my plants. If they are getting enough other foods, they shouldn't bother your plants. I feed mine Brine Shrimp, Vegetables, Blood Worms, Algae Wafers and never had an issue. Having a good variety of foods keeps them happy also.

 

[zoo minsi]

I have 1 common in my 55 and have never had any problem with him and my plants, he does however love zuchinni (sp?). I also give him algae waffers. Maybe hes just not getting enough food.

 

[Jayrod7]

im thinking about getting a plec or 2 for my 29, its lightly planted think they will do bad to my plants? not sure what my lfs has in terms of plecs but in general are they bad?

 

[Igor The Cat]

in general? they are nothing, there are so many different varitities, but i would reccomend either a bristlenose, rubbernose, or clown pl*co for your tank

cheers

-Java