Common Pleco Questions

[ninersfan]

I have heard a lot of different things regarding the common pleco. They stop eating algae when they mature, they destroy acrylic, they get aggressive!
Can someone with practical experience help me out....

1. do they get lazy and stop eating algae?
2. How good are they at eating algae?
3. do they get aggressive?
4. Do they destroy acrylic?

People who keep Commons.... let me know your experiences with them.
Thanks

[Ron]

I have 3 (9", 8", 7") in a 100 gallon and another one (6") currently in a 29.

1. do they get lazy and stop eating algae?

Yeah, they sure don't eat it like they use to. I also give spirulina disks and bottom feeder tablits for them and my synos though. I have one that also have learned to 'bob' at the surface to pick up flakes or floating pellets.

2. How good are they at eating algae?

They do well while they are under 6" IME.

3. do they get aggressive?

No problems here yet.

4. Do they destroy acrylic?

I have glass tanks so I wouldn't know, but I have mainly heard that it is panques that destroy acrylic.

[ninersfan]

Thanks Ron

[magnum4]

in order:
1-yes.
2-still one of the best and my oldest must be 11.
3-no too lazy.
4-not in my experience.

[Evan]

whats the scientific name of the common pleco?

[Silurus]

Liposarcus pardalis