125gallons, 14 africans, 1 redtail shark, 1 synodonis cat. I haven't had very much experience with pleco's mainly because I don't know much about them and didn't want to end up with a river monster. However I would like to have a prolific bottom feeder for the food scraps that don't get eaten. The sydonis only seems interested in the veggie pellets and doesn't really seem to do the housekeeping that I'm looking for so... any thoughts on a good size pleco for my tank?
Reco for a good Pleco
- Thread starter FishDad
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A common pleco wouldn't be an issue for the size of your tank I don't think, but they truly are poop factories and I've heard that they don't do much cleaning as they age. A really popular species is the Bristlenose because of its size (reaching about 5-6 inches) and cheap price, but I think that any of the smaller species would work the same. I have a female Bristlenose and she's constantly sucking on everything in my tank, even though she's fed algae wafers.
I've heard that they're generally aggressive towards their own species, but because of the size of your tank, you could probably get away with more than one, although I'm not sure.
I've heard that they're generally aggressive towards their own species, but because of the size of your tank, you could probably get away with more than one, although I'm not sure.
They seem to be a lot calmer than the common plecos as well, although that may just be her personality vs. the common I had before her. My common spooked really easily, and would dart around the tank like a psycho all the time. My bristlenose doesn't seem to mind anything, however, and I usually have to shove her off of decorations when I'm vacuuming.
I had an electric blue crawfish that was an excellent bottom feeder and a stunning addition to the tank. After about 7 or 8 months one day my cichlids decided he needed to go and they ripped him to shreds. I don't know what had changed. So today I saw a crawfish at the lfs, not the blue one just a regular one for a good price and with some acclamation advice from the store owner I decided to give him a shot as my new bottom feeder. Well sad to say he lasted about an hour. My cichlids had a lobster feast tonight. So thats why I'm in the market for a pleco as a bottom feeder. I think I'll have to get a good size one though.
A pleco is a bad choice as they are dirty and do not really clean anything. I have one with my three Oscars and one Jack Dempsey (125G) only because I wanted one and knew it would be more work for the tank and it is more work. Cory cats will not make it in an African tank very long at all. Your best bet is about two to three more Syno's. They will school and be more competitive for food and eat the left overs.
My dentist in Florida had one that was 26" (sailfin) when it passed away. He acquired it at 6 or 7" and had it over 30 yrs old and kept in an indoor 'pond' he built in his waiting room. If I recall, it was 600+ gallons.
I wish I had the photos of it still (110 cartridge camera took the photos - ok, yes, I'm old). He was a beautful fish and very 'tame' and would take veggies from your hand. Still a tank (or pond) buster tho!
I wish I had the photos of it still (110 cartridge camera took the photos - ok, yes, I'm old). He was a beautful fish and very 'tame' and would take veggies from your hand. Still a tank (or pond) buster tho!