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Now that I've fallen in love with plecos because of my bristlenoses, I want to try a new species. I want something for my 20 gallon tall. But something that grows slowly and may have to be eventually moved to my 55 gallon at my parents' house is okay. It doesn't have to be a good algae eater since I'll probably be rotating young bristlenose in and out of this tank as they grow (in the tank from 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches). My 20 gallon has been set up for about 8 months, but I'm soon going to get a 29 or 37 gallon and most of the fish are going in there, so I don't know yet what will be in there except my panda cories which are currently in my 10 gallon. So I definately don't want anything that's aggressive towards other bottom dwellers. Why not put it in my new tank? Well I'm planning trying to set up another breeding pair of bristlenoses in there. I have the male in the 55 with the other breeding pair and I'm growing out 2 babies from last year in the 20 gallon now in hopes for another female. Also I'm an avid plant lover so no chewers, please.

Here are some I've seen and considered but I'm not sure if they would be appropriate.

Queen Arabesque: these are gorgeous but at $40, can I afford it? Actually if I traded in 10 baby bristlenoses, I could. Are they suitable for my tank?

Gold Nugget Pleco: very nice but I hear they are delicate. I don't want to kill it! Also I've seen some sites say they only get up to 7 inches while others say over a foot. $44 at my lfs but only $20 at my parents' lfs (4 hours away from my 20 gallon, mind you...)

Leopard Cactus Pleco: L023? $24 at my lfs. Couldn't find alot of info on this gorgeous fish. Suitable? Probably too big...

Candy Stripe Pleco: Peckoltia vittatus for $8. Not all that impressive but small (right?) and cheap. I don't know anything about their behavior.

Rubbernose/Bulldog Pleco: Forgot how much these were. Small and peaceful algae eaters from what I've heard. Don't know why I listed these. I think they are kind of ugly. (apologies to any fans)

If you have any other suggestions, I may be able to get my lfs to order them.

260 is one of my favourites so i'll vote for that one and the 4 hour away gold nugget because although you should expect 8" at least they are slow..ish growers.

What's up with adding the * to pleco? Makes me look like I'm superstitious when I'm not. I type the whole word all the time. My plecos are fine.

Pl e co! Pl e co! Pl e co! Pl e co! Muahaha!

I thought the superstition was just when you write about your own fish. Why do you think it's necessary to protect other people's fish? I think the whole thing is stupid. Sorry, but I find it kind of offensive when people change what I type. But it's not really that important. I just wanted to say how I felt. Subject dropped.

Back to my tank please...