Picking an algae eating Pleco?

ninersfan · Post by **ninersfan** » 18 Oct 2003, 16:50

Im not sure if this is the right forum or not? Mods, move me if you must.

Im looking for a pleco that will eat algae and can be kept with the larger cichlids?
I have three tanks I would like plecos for...

1. A South American tank with one Oscar and two severums
2. A Central American tank with one Jack dempsy, one fire Mouth and one T-Bar
3. An African tank with 5 Fronts and 4 Calvus

I have Clown loaches in two of these tanks, so any pleco would have to be ok with loaches!

Im a little worried about a common pleco, just because the size... an 18â??â?? pleco would add a lot to my bio-load. And i have heard that they get lazy after a while and stop eating algae. I could be wrong but I have also heard that they will try and suck off some flat bodied fish ( I have servs and silver dollars )!!
I also thought about Bristle nose, but they only get to be around 5-6â??â?? Is that big enough for large cichlids?

polkadot · Post by **polkadot** » 18 Oct 2003, 18:30

Have you consider those from the ancistrus species?

ninersfan · Post by **ninersfan** » 18 Oct 2003, 18:47

Im not too familiar? Im new to plecos...

Post by **Silurus** » 18 Oct 2003, 20:46

Ancistrus ARE bristlenoses.

magnum4 · Post by **magnum4** » 18 Oct 2003, 22:14

The problem you have stated yourself small plecs will become a snack and large common plec Liposarcus pardalis produce about the same amout of waste as your oscar does.

why exactly do you wnat a plec?

ninersfan · Post by **ninersfan** » 18 Oct 2003, 23:49

well, i have five BIG tanks... the algae is getting out of hand. I clean my tanks every week, i donâ??t over feed.... the thing is, my tanks are planted, They need light! I have cut the light down to 10 hours a day, still have the algae. The planted tanks help with nitrate levels ( when your dealing with big cichlids ). I do 25% water changes every week! I wanted some type of pleco that could help with the algae.

flyinmike · Post by **flyinmike** » 19 Oct 2003, 01:19

(IME) The bristlenose is THE best at eating algae. My L-177 seems to eat quite a bit too. To tell you the truth though, you shouldn't get a pleco and expect him to keep your glass clean. I've had much better luck with the magnetic scrapers.

ninersfan · Post by **ninersfan** » 19 Oct 2003, 02:13

My tanks are acrylic, The magnetic scrapers are only good for glass. I don't mind cleaning the glass. Its all the rest of the stuff in the tank that's hard to get to without a complete tear down every week.

flyinmike · Post by **flyinmike** » 19 Oct 2003, 06:10

I think you would be ok with a bristlenose as long as you got an adult one and he had plenty of hiding places. Plecos are generally more nocturnal and would be out when the other fish are inactive.

Plec0maniac · Post by **Plec0maniac** » 20 Oct 2003, 07:23

yep bristlenose will do as long as he is big enough not to be bullied

Kostas · Post by **Kostas** » 20 Oct 2003, 16:07

Hi,
I think that Glyptoperichthys joselimaianus would be a good solution because they dont damage plants,eat algae and dont get as big as the common pleco.

Btw common plecos dont have the tendency to suck on fishes.I also have one with my Green terror and my severum and as you can see at my signature he is one of the best plecos.He is 20 cm now.

Post by **Rusty** » 20 Oct 2003, 23:42

ninersfan wrote:My tanks are acrylic, The magnetic scrapers are only good for glass. I don't mind cleaning the glass. Its all the rest of the stuff in the tank that's hard to get to without a complete tear down every week.

This may be something to think about. Some pleco species have been known to but gouges in acrylic, but you shouldn't have a problem with Ancistrus.

Rusty

ninersfan · Post by **ninersfan** » 21 Oct 2003, 01:50

The more I read, and get advice from all of you ( BTW, you have all been great and I appreciate all the info! ) I think the bristle nose is the way to go for me, with all my tanks. I never see any plecos ( besides the common ) in my LFSâ??s, But Im sure there are on- line breeders that I can go through. I just want to make sure they are full grown or as close to possible.

flyinmike · Post by **flyinmike** » 21 Oct 2003, 03:57

Check aquabid.com as there are usually some in all sizes there.

SunflwrgrlS · Post by **SunflwrgrlS** » 07 Dec 2003, 16:23

Are bristlenoses known to suck slime coats? I somehow thought all "algae eaters" had this possibility.

My CAE was fine until recently, and I had to buy a 29 gallon for him yesterday (all I can fit in the house right now due to floor strength). I was going to avoid another algae eater altogether after this episode, but read somewhere that bristlenoses dont get too big and are good for algae.

I hate to buy another fish and end up having to buy him his own tank too because he attacks slime coats (I have a gourami in bad shape right now fighting for his life -- good thing he is a fighter himself).

The bristlenose would go into a 55 gallon planted with 3 clown loaches, 2 (soon to be 4) corys, and one neon tetra (will eventually be 6 to 10). Eventually, they will be moved to a larger tank when I can provide extra support for the floors or move.

Is the bristlenose suitable? Will he not get too big? Will he absolutely without a doubt not attack slime coats??? He must be peaceable!!!

Thank you all so much.