Can you have a pleco without wood

[RD.]

They enjoy it? I'm fairly certain that in the wild, the wood sucking loricariid species do not suck on the wood, for enjoyment. In an aquarium setting, they will suck on almost any surface. The OP stated they don't want to mess with the decor, and the reality is they don't need to.

 

[LBDave]

Just telling what I see. I believe they enjoy it. From watching their behavior. IMHO.

 

[RD.]

Although many people apparently do it (anthropomorphism), survival mechanisms in nature shouldn't be confused with human emotions or behaviour.

 

[LBDave]

I believe Ulu has seen similar instances. Plecos gravitate towards it at times. Call it whatever you want. I have no idea about the "emotions".

 

[RD.]

I've kept numerous species of plecos over the years, but the OP asked a very specific question -

I have a 125 gallon tank without wood. I would like a pleco but don't want to mess with the decor. Is there any other way to have a pleco tank?

The answer is they don't need to mess with the decor. Feed it an appropriate diet, and it will find other non wood things to spend its time sucking on.

 

[Rocksor]

So are you saying a common pleco can live without wood fibers?

My 19+ year old common pleco lived fine without driftwood when I had him (rehomed). So yes, they can thrive without it.

 

[LBDave]

Most pleco food also contains extra fiber.
But...Driftwood looks nice. Just put it in.

I agree.

 

[LBDave]

I had a common Pleco for about 8 years and I never had driftwood and yes it seemed to do fine without. I acknowledged that they can live without. Would I now have a Pleco that naturally eats driftwood in a tank without it. No.
Can the OP keep a Pleco without driftwood? I guess. Why not. People keep tanks with no substrate. Fish live. Is it what I do or suggest doing? No.

 

[Vampire fish]

i had all kinds of plecos none ever had wood and all thrived.

 

[jaws7777]

Ive kept L200's and L600's that only occasionally touched the DW. On the other hand i had two sun shines that tore it up. And yes they were fed a variety of foods.