algae-eating Pleco w/ wolffish

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

My 75 gal stocked with a Hoplias malabaricus (7.5'') is starting to turn green. Since I would rather have a pleco take care of it than scrubbing the interior myself, I was considering a large pleco. My LFS happens to have one (7'') for $20. Neither they nor I have a clue what exact species it is, nor if it is adult or not. It is uniformly dark, no pattern, almost black.

My questions are:

1. do large plecos still efficiently eat algae?
2. I know my description is not the best, but any guesses on what species the abovementioned pleco might be?
3. Anyone here keeping wolves with plecos?

Thanks a bunch,
HarleyK

 

[davo]

Most of the "algae eating plecos" are smaller than your wolffish, therefore they would probably be useless in this situation.

1. Bigger plecs you could try are maybe a gibbiceps or maybe some of the commons such as Hypostomus plecostomus or even Liposarcus pardalis, but they do all grow pretty big and not sure how big you'd want it. Im not sure but are wolffish nocturnal and they dont move much? But anyway it's not by any means a definate that these fish will even eat your algae, I have two gibbiceps, and neither eat any algae. When these fish are bigger they eat a lot more meat in the diet. Some people keep the "common clan" in ponds to keep algae down and say they do but in my experience a well fed plec aren't very effective.

2. No idea what sp. it would be i'm afraid. Maybe you could get a picture?

3. Never had wolffish but IMO i'm not sure if they'd get along (im not sure how peaceful wolffish are), but even if they do which may be the case, the plec will ommit so much more in terms of waste, that in itself could aid algae growth, with the chance the plec won't even eat algae. Have you tried reducing the causes of algae growth first... low light levels for lower periods of time, reduce nitrates, plants etc etc. Is your algae growth just on glass sides or all over?

 

[HarleyK]

Most of the "algae eating plecos" are smaller than your wolffish, ...When these fish are bigger they eat a lot more meat in the diet. Some people keep the "common clan" in ponds to keep algae down and say they do but in my experience a well fed plec aren't very effective.

I was afraid of that ...

the plec will ommit so much more in terms of waste, that in itself could aid algae growth, with the chance the plec won't even eat algae. Have you tried reducing the causes of algae growth first... low light levels for lower periods of time, reduce nitrates, plants etc etc. Is your algae growth just on glass sides or all over?

Good thinking.
My lighting is a single regular fluorescent light strip (4') for 6+6h/day. Rooted plants are not really an option since the tank is bare bottom. Floating plants need more light. Algae are starting on glass and driftwood.

Looks like good old removal with sponge and ellbow grease after power-feeding the wolf (I really don't want to give my wife the opportunity to laugh at me because my fish bit me ), and increase in water changes.

Thanks a bunch,
HarleyK

 

[kapster76]

i have about an 8" wolf with a 5" common pleco and so far so good. Been about a month and not one problem. I have the same size tank. I think you will be ok with a pleco. For the algae i used tablets, but the pleco keeps the glass clean.

 

[jconley]

As far as compatability, they would probably be fine. Like Davo said, plecos produce so much crap, that they are usually their own algae factories, and I know wolf fish aren't exactly tidy either lol.

 

[WyldFya]

Heres what I think you should do, 4 big apple snails. They won't hurt the wolf fish, like a common is VERY likely to do, and they are effective algae and clean up eaters their entire life. It is rather unlikely that your wolf fish will eat the snail as well. Ramshorns would work too, but they will reproduce VERY quickly.

 

[jconley]

A good idea.

 

[davo]

Isn't it more fun to put your hand in the tank with an algae scraper and hope for the best? lol

 

[Mr Pleco]

I have a large 8"- 9" gibby ....try him out see if it works ...also a couple of large commons over 6".....PM me if interested ????

 

[HarleyK]

Heres what I think you should do, 4 big apple snails.

I got 3 big apple snails several weeks ago ... now there are two left .... All were active and eating well, so my guess is on the wolf ...

but they spawned, so I will have plenty more snails pretty soon