Pleco Compatability

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
K

Kput

Exodon
MFK Member
Mar 9, 2020
64
79
21
32
Hello all!
New here. Planning on posting a build thread tomorrow when I'm at my PC. I'm setting up a 180 gallon 6' tank, and would like to add 2 designer Plecos, and possibly a couple small variety bristlenose. My question is compatability with themselves, and with the others in the tank.

I will have 3-4 ropefish, 1 Black ghost knife, and would like two designers. The blue phantom is a must have, the other one is up for discussion.

1 blue phantom (L-128)
Spiny monster (L-160),
Three beacon (L-091), or
Redfin Cactus (L-024).
 
  • Like
Reactions: fishhead0103666 and tlindsey
It is so great seeing someone else want a spiny monster pleco.

Mine did well with my green phantom, Peruvian lyretail, rhino pleco, emperor pleco, royal pleco, clown pleco, mega clown pleco, and a few others I forget.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
Thanks for the replies!
That black dragon cactus does look pretty sweet. I'm a big fan of the three beacon so this is going to be a hard decision to make..

Will a couple of the smaller variety of bristlenose plecos be okay in this tank too, or might they become snacks for the BGK/Ropes?
 
Kput said:
Thanks for the replies!
That black dragon cactus does look pretty sweet. I'm a big fan of the three beacon so this is going to be a hard decision to make..

Will a couple of the smaller variety of bristlenose plecos be okay in this tank too, or might they become snacks for the BGK/Ropes?
Click to expand...
I would imagine that they may not get eaten outright but they would get out competed by all the other plecs for food and hiding space and eventually either die of starvation or stress. You could add allot of drift wood into the tank as bristlenose will eat wood but you would still need to feed heavily on aglea wafers, zucchini, cucumbers or watermelon rines to make up the rest of their diet. You could also use aquarium plant fertilizers to help with the growth of natural algea allong with providing everything else I already mentioned.

Btw if you have live plants in the tank already don't be surprised if they get eaten.
 
If you are going to do Spiny the black dragon or l25 scarlet pleco are some of my favorites. I currently have 4 L-25's and they are great and not shy. Mines tend to frolic about with lights on. The black dragon has such a jet black exterior you can see every detail, texture, and spikes on it which makes it truly a pleasure to stare at. If price is no issue the black dragon or scarlet is sure to please while adding a sense of exotic-ness to the environment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Magnus_Bane
What are these small variety bristlenose plecos you speak of? A name would be nice.
 
fishhead0103666 said:
What are these small variety bristlenose plecos you speak of? A name would be nice.
Click to expand...
I haven't really researched them yet as I wasn't sure if they would even be compatible. I know there are a few that stay around or under 4", but it sounds like they might not be the best choice.
 
If you want something similar to a bistlenose that gets a bit bigger I would recommend get a L034 Medusa pleco. They will end up roughly 7-8in in length, they are also a really wide flat pleco so they would be less at risk of being eaten by anything.
 
"Fancy" plecos are a current obsession of mine. I'm currently keeping a L091, L025, L114, and a L263 all under 4" in a 125 with a few silver dollars, leporinus and tetras. All have been together for months and I have no aggression issues now, but I'm ready to move the L091 and L263 to a 90 if the Pseudacanthicus get out of hand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom