clean up crew ?

[strada]

Hi guys,
I have a 155g with 2 small oscars ,bircher ( lap ) ,alta pike 7"
and 2 small common plecs.
The problem i have is the plecs are shi**ing all over my nice clean sand , LOL How can they make so much sh*t ???

What can i get to replace them ? i was told giraffe cat but they get way to big, any suggestions.

Is it possible to keep red crabs or would these get eaten sooner or later .

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

common plecos do not count as cleanup crew, all they does is poop. Just remove them, if you need some cleanup, get apple snails

 

[Fat Homer]

I think your best bet would be to whip out the syphon and just give it a clean every 1-2 times a week...

With fish like yours, its going to be hard to find a cleaner that won't get killed by your predators except you...

 

[Kcameron]

snails are really the only effective way to reduce algae, and even they cant get all of it (and also leave little stringy poos in their wake).

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Apple snails do munch on uneaten fishfood as well

 

[strada]

Ok guys ,thanks,
so the crabs are a no then ?

I have tried to catch the plecs to remove them,but they are alot faster than i am with a net

 

[Kcameron]

Ok guys ,thanks,
so the crabs are a no then ?

I have tried to catch the plecs to remove them,but they are alot faster than i am with a net

Sometimes its easier to catch catfish with your hands--clean hands

 

[bbortko]

Ok guys ,thanks,
so the crabs are a no then ?

I have tried to catch the plecs to remove them,but they are alot faster than i am with a net

try 2 nets, 1 to go after them with and place the 2nd one so that when they flee they swim into it.

 

[Calihawk]

To effectively catch them you have to catch like you're not afraid to hurt them or destroy decors. I catch my fishes like them rodeo calf ropem up and tie ups.

 

[Carefree_Dude]

I often handfeed my plecos, so its easy as just putting my hand in, and they swim right into it.