Bichir and Pleco Truth Poll!

[Guppy's_Hell]

As I already stated I only had issues with ANY from genus pterygoplichthys that includes the common pleco and the sailfin pleco.

Actually no you hadn't...


That's horrible what happen to that bichir... I hope he recovered.

Do you think it may have something to do with how crowded your tanks are or lack of cover/hiding area? Maybe the pterygoplichthys become stressed or aggressive? (awesome tanks btw)


Just trying to figure out why so many people keep these fish without issue.

 

[Sarah88]

I currently have a delhezi and a sailfin together with no issues so thats what i put in the poll however my pleco is still very small at only about 5in so this could very easily change in the future i just keep a close eye out for it, but as of now the sailfin only cares about the driftwood and any pellets and algae wafers that hit the sand haha

 

[gerryjun]

Actually no you hadn't...


That's horrible what happen to that bichir... I hope he recovered.

Do you think it may have something to do with how crowded your tanks are or lack of cover/hiding area? Maybe the pterygoplichthys become stressed or aggressive? (awesome tanks btw)


Just trying to figure out why so many people keep these fish without issue.

If your keeping senegalus or small species below 14 inch, they tend to be more active and not let plecos suck them, while big bichirs are very laid back and stubborn making them susceptible with plecos.

7 years ago i was only keeping senegals, and they were ok with my common pleco for years and never got any problems, its when i started keeping large species that it became a problem.

Fish have personalities, and its major factor, but as a rule its wise to observe your bichirs and pleco, you might get lucky and maybe not.

For me, i love my bichirs too much to take another chance and house them with a pleco, it will be like suck all you can with the amount on bichirs in my tank

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

my 3" common pleco just sucked on a 8" ornate like he is the boss. Caught it and rehomed it...

 

[azura]

actually nvr had pleco comm bichirs but i had pleco w/ aros ... i know wat the pleco could do to the aro n would do to the bichirs

 

[Gage Zamrzla]

I've kept a senegal bichir with a common and vampire pleco at once and had no issues at all. That's just in my experience.

 

[JamesF]

I've never had issues, but I've never kept commons with my bichirs. It's always been bristlenose when the bichirs are smaller.

 

[King-eL]

Actually no you hadn't...


That's horrible what happen to that bichir... I hope he recovered.

Do you think it may have something to do with how crowded your tanks are or lack of cover/hiding area? Maybe the pterygoplichthys become stressed or aggressive? (awesome tanks btw)


Just trying to figure out why so many people keep these fish without issue.

What do you mean I hadn't? I already said many times. I had issues with any species from the genus pterygoplichthys. That includes the sailfin pleco and the common pleco from the genus of that family of plecos or that type of plecos.

The bichir recovered and the pleco was sold. As for being crowded it not the reason. I had less crowded tank back in 2004 with only had 3 ropefish and 2 senegal bichir and 2 sailfin pleco. The sailfin pleco will keep searching for the bichirs all over the tank. Tank was 210g and they have plenty of hiding space and area to swim around as they were only 8-9 inches.

 

[benzjamin13]

I currently have a Royal, Green Phantom, and Vampire Pleco with a couple of Sens and a couple of Polli. The same Plecos have also been with Delhezi and Ornate. I have never had issues with them.

From what I've read on MFK, it seems that the Polys that get sucked on are the Lower Jaw species which tend to be the less active Polys as well.

 

[Guppy's_Hell]

I can't vote to any as in personal experience only the common and the sailfin pleco are known to suck or any from the genus pterygoplichthys. The rest of them seems safe especially the spiny type and panaques which I had successfully keep.

I kept about 200+ species of plecos and only from genus pterygoplichthys are known to suck on slime coat. Not just bichirs and gars but as well as goldfish, snakeheads, arowanas, discus and stingrays they will suck slimes to. Even when feed regularly.

Some one is a little touchy with their big red letters... read what you wrote and get back at me...