2 clown plecos?

shamgar1 · Post by **shamgar1** » 20 Oct 2003, 21:43

I have a 105 gal. tank with 5 discus, 1 clown loach and 1 small clown pleco. I was wondering if I could handle having two clown plecos in this tank. I have one driftwood cave and can add a rock cave easily. Just wondered if they would fight or be fine.
Thanks,
Shamgar1

S. Allen · Post by **S. Allen** » 21 Oct 2003, 00:47

I would say that there's plenty of room for at least a few more plecos... it's all a question of hiding places

flyinmike · Post by **flyinmike** » 21 Oct 2003, 00:58

Most definitely more plecos! It wouldn't hurt if the OTHER clown non-cat thing had a couple of friends too. Definitely more plecos though!

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S. Allen · Post by **S. Allen** » 21 Oct 2003, 04:09

yes, clown loaches are extremely chummy fish... I had one that I got in bad shape from a store once that had a very poor chance of making it... it lay on top of the uptake tubes for my undergravel filter(not used at that point but still there) on its side, pale and hardly moving other than breathing... the established clown loach came up and laid on it's stomach on the little ledge with the other and chased off the angelfish and gouramis when they came to pick at the poor fish as if protecting it's own spawn... I've never seen anything but a cichlid protect like that against something twice it's size... It was a very heartbreaking thing to watch because I thought the whole thing was in vain... I got lucky and the sickly fish was revived with normal care... but I think that's one of the most touching things I've seen in this hobby.

a whole rant there, but to be honest, the 105's got lots of room(if it was mine it'd probably be 8 discus and 2 dozen plecos and assorted catfish... but then again I don't mind lots of big water changes)... clowns will eventually hit a foot or so in length, but that's almost a decade off most likely. Only problem I see is plecos aren't exactly the greatest at grabbing a bite before someone else gets it... loaches are. just keep an eye on the plecos to make sure they're getting plenty.

shamgar1 · Post by **shamgar1** » 24 Oct 2003, 15:01

O.K....I guess you are all bad influences on me. Just Kidding. I went out and bought another clown pleco. Added a stone cave to hide in. And I bought 2 new discus to boot!!

Thanks for the info,
Shamgar1

S. Allen · Post by **S. Allen** » 25 Oct 2003, 00:17

haha, we'll ruin your bank account yet

and yeah, with discus I always suggest a minimum of 10 gallons per fish... gives them room and such. 7 discus in a 105 will be fine.