55g Pleco Suggestions

[Cadillac15]

So I picked up another 55g tank this week (so now I have two I'm setting up). I also picked up a 29g that currently has 4 Short Fin Super Red Plecos in it. My established 37g has an Albino BN, a small bn that has white on the top of his fin and on the edge of his tail but wasn't listed as Starlight so I have no idea, and a Clown Pleco.

Plecos are my favorite and I really want to build a 55g around one. The problem is, it will be housed in there for life, so it can't be one that will outgrow it, but I want it to be big enough to be seen. I've been told by 1 person that anything bigger than a BN won't have enough room (standard 55g dimensions) but I don't want another BN. Any suggestions?

Ones I was thinking about prior to his saying that was Blue Phantom, Green Phantom, Gold Nugget, Vampire Pleco. If it's one decent size one, I will happily spend up to $100-150 on it. But I'm not going to buy a tank of Zebras haha. Thanks in advance!

 

[stuby]

There are a lot of plecs that will do very well in a 55....... if you are looking for a very nice larger (7" to 9" max size) and will not cost you a lot the L75 para pleco would work. I wouldn't go any bigger as far as plecs go. Gold nuggets are nice looking plecs but can be difficulty..... mainly fresh imports are hard to keep at first I should say. A green or blue Phantom are also good choices........ vampies can be difficult but are nice plecs. L91 is one of my favorite vamp type of pleco. There are just so many the best thing to do is check them out at planetcatfish and see if any look good to you then do some research..... or ask about them and see what will do well for you.

HTH
Chuck

 

[Cadillac15]

I've been doing a lot of research, and am leaning mostly towards a Green Phantom, although I love the Blues as well . The L075 is a new one to me, he's cool looking. I've kind of started to go away from Gold Nugget because I keep hearing how hard they are and I'm not sure I'm at that point in my learning to successfully keep one. I appreciate the suggestions!

 

[thefredpit]

My favorite would be my L137 Blue Eye Bruno. My 2nd favorite would be my L114. Third would be my L076 Orange Seam. The L264 is a nice one from the vampire family. Both phantoms would work. You could do a coupe Farlowellas or whiptails. L239 would be cool. The para plecos are another I've always wanted

 

[DLoL2]

Goldies aren't difficult to keep if you can get them healthy to begin with. Avoid sunken bellies/eyes like the plague.

If you go green phantom (imho too small for a 55), know that there are two types. I like the bary better than the hemi, but you may think otherwise.