Cold water Pleco?

[ChrisL]

So in another thread I was told there are invasive Pleco that live in Florida and Texas and that they survive temps that dip below 50 degrees. Anyone know what species these might be? I'm looking for a Pleco that will help with algea control in an unheated tank that gets into the mid 50's in winter.

 

[Chub_by]

That would be bristlenose plecos (ancistrus sp.), the "normal" common pleco (H. Plecostomus) and sailfin plecos (G. Gibbiceps). Granted there are other cold hardy species but these are readily available.

 

[ChrisL]

Great! Thanks!!

 

[Quo Vadis]

Also rubberlip plecos, or Uruguayan plecos

 

[divemaster99]

Pterygoplichthys pardalis and Hypostomus plecostomus would be good candidates. IME Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps tend to get very lethargic in anything lower than 68 and tend to die in anything lower than 64.