L-200s and overall hardiness

Pamela · Post by **Pamela** » 24 Jun 2004, 03:37

I am in need of a new plec after a heater disaster (boiled fish, anyone? very depressing). I saw an L-200 in an aquarium shop for $40. I have been reading some of the threads on this fish, and the profile, and the COTM article.

However, being a little paranoid about the more expensive critters, I just wanted to confirm that the general consensus is that they are hardy fellows. I have a 55G planted community tank, currently with a couple of angel fish, bb gobies and zebra loaches. I plan on getting some tetras, and perhaps a bristlenose as well, if the L-200 doesn't keep up with the algae. I keep up with maintenance, and perform a gravel vacuum and 30% water change weekly.
Thanks.

I don't have a full test kit, but when I've had the full set done at the shop, I've had acceptable pH, etc. I had (before the disaster) an albino bristlenose, a clown plec and a farowella, all for over a year, so they enjoyed the conditions.

PlecoCrazy · Post by **PlecoCrazy** » 24 Jun 2004, 04:24

I work at a fish store and I can't recall ever loosing a L200. They are much hardier than alot of the other fancies, plus they show themselves alot more as well. I don't know how well they do on algae but the tanks they are in are usually prettty clean of algae and I rarely have to scrub the walls of their tanks. I would say L200 is one of the better choices available.

flyinmike · Post by **flyinmike** » 25 Jun 2004, 01:07

I've had a male for maybe 1 1/2 years. He is not a big algae eater but he does seem to get along well with other plecs as long as they aren't green too! I started with 3 and the dominant one wouldn't tolerate the other 2 at all after they started to get some size. He's about 5-5.5" now. Definitely a hardy fish. I traded one of them to my fav LFS. It is still in his display tank doing as well as mine. Go for it!

plecmad · Post by **plecmad** » 16 Jul 2004, 19:59

hi i,ve had an L200 in my tank for awhile now (among others)and i love him he,s great and gets on well with the others one of my favourites they seem to move with more grace.

polkadot · Post by **polkadot** » 17 Jul 2004, 08:43

I dont think they're a tough pleco to take care of as well, only thing i know about the L200 is that it grows extemely slow....

patrickstockton · Post by **patrickstockton** » 17 Jul 2004, 10:30

don't count on it being an "algae" eater in the way you i think you would like. Sure it eats some, but its not going to "keep your tank clean". try some otocinclus etc. for that task.