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I have a 46gallon bowfront with cichlids from Malawi and Tang. I'm concerned about my syno (sp. 5) and pleco (L-72) because my syno appears to have been hunting down my pleco these past two nights. Normally, my pleco hangs out on the driftwood in the middle of the tank while my syno hides in a vase next to it. They are both about 2.5 inches.

However, for the past few weeks, I've noticed my syno (sp. 5?) hiding in the leaves of my plants and against the side of my aquarium so I'm not sure if my pleco kicked him out of the vase or if it is my yellow lab.

Then, the past few nights, I've noticed that my catfish roams the bottom and "looks" for my pleco (L-72). When he finds him, he jumps on top of my pleco and starts attacking it. All I hear this slapping around and then a big puff of sand. I've noticed that my catfish has been doing this a couple of times per night for the past few nights.

When I look closely at my pleco, I can't see any obvious damage, but I'm wondering if my tanks is too small for the two of them and if I another cave-like hiding place will eliminate this behavior.

Thanks.

The syno possibly thinks of the pleco as a rival because of its somewhat similar black and white pattern. Adding more caves might help, but if not, you might have to separate the two in the end.

because of its somewhat similar black and white pattern

seeing a similarity in color and patterns is a bit far fetched dont you think? as the Peckoltia is yellow/brown with big stripes.
A Malawi/Tang tank which in itself is a weird mix to me and then placing a Tocantins fish into this setup doesnt sound like the perfect setup for the L72.

In my tank, I have some cyp. leptosoma, peakcocks, leleupi, yellow lab, lab. hongi, and clown loaches. Everyone seems to get along except for the pleco and syno as aggression is limited to minor chasing. All my bottom-feeders are generally ignored.

As for water paremeters, I'm not sure if an african setup is ideal for the pleco but he appears to be doing great so far. I guess I'll try to buy some more cave-like structures for the syno and pleco.

I guess I was trying to see if anyone else had similar experiences or suggestions on how to mitigate the aggression between my pleco and syno.

An additional problem is that the Peckoltia will definately need wood to feast on...and you wont be able to add that and keep the mal/tan fishes happy...

Yeah, I heard about that so I have a piece of driftwood in my tank. I know this brings the PH down so I have aragonite and crushed coral substrate. My pleco seems to like hanging out on the wood, but it doesn't chew on the wood. I'm thinking about buy more cave-like structures to see if that reduces the fighting between the two.

Hi!

A lack of adequate resting place such as caves and other can be the problem...
especially if only one good one is available, fighting might occurs.
Make sure to add several caves though out the tank...

Cheers
Yann

I realize this is a little off subject but i hear it all the time in this site and want to have my say. Root wood is not Bad for, nor disliked by african c-lids. With no help other than c-lid salts my water stays at 8.0-8.2, with a large piuece in my 30 gal.. No coloration issues, nothing. my Tropheus nip at it all the time. The clown pleq (of course) and L190 Royal spend much time on it as well.
As far i as I know, there is absolutely no problem with rootwood in your african tank.
and i realize its a minor point but... if you are going to reply in a thread, pleaseat least read the first post. The person said they had driftwood, so obviously they dont need to fret about "not being able to put it in their tank.".... they already gots it and seems to be working just fine.

My local LFS owner who also heads the largest west coast african c-lid exchange keeps root wood in 95% of his tanks. I think he knows what he is doing since some of you, on the west coast, have his fish in your tanks.[/i]