Help me choose a pleco

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CTU2fan

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 12, 2007
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Port Orange, FL
I like plecos. I've generally kept "common plecos" (2 different kinds, the normal dark colored common with a somewhat straight tail and extensions on top and bottom, and a more chocolate colored one with more of a sickle-shaped tail and bands) but I'd like something a little different. Also my tank isn't big enough for a common pleco.

Anyway, I'm looking for an active pleco, under 1' max size, not really rare/expensive...and I'd like it to eat some algae. If it doesn't I'll go on scraping, but if it does that would be a nice bonus, so basically no dedicated carnivores :) Tankmates are in my sig, mostly peaceful cichlids, and my tank is a 170G. I guess bushynose is probably what I'm looking for (I've never kept them before) but I'm open to other suggestions. I'm planning on ordering some more jurupari from snookn21 so hopefully I can get it from him, he's got a bunch of plecos.
 
Ive had a bushy nose for over a year and just picked up a new one today for a different tank. I realized that i really did not see him much at all until he hit around the 4 inch mark. He also did a number on the algae in the tank which was a plus. Now he swims everywhere with my cichlids and is a perfect addition. I would reccomend getting one just becuase they can fit in so well.....I am not pleco master so i can not reccomend anything..just my input on the BN
 
If they are active like the common plecos then that's probably what I will get. Also I have an acrylic tank so I know there are some plecos I should avoid, because they can scratch my acrylic.
 
CTU2fan;3824167; said:
If they are active like the common plecos then that's probably what I will get. Also I have an acrylic tank so I know there are some plecos I should avoid, because they can scratch my acrylic.
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Snookn has several selections on there that will stay small.. Para pleco is a good choice..

L-200 and L-128 are also peaceful and will eat algae + cucumbers.. although cucumber more..

He also has the king tiger pleco.. All that i listed so far will stay small.. no bigger tank 12" / 1ft..

Although i would say u should avoid plecos all together since 90% of the time pleco will suck on the surface of the tank.. like all good pleco will..
 
Yea try snookn21s page. You're in FL so shipping would only be $15 or so for next day delivery.

I personally love the Royals and the L-114.
 
He's got an awesome white and black royal right now. May not be the best choice for acrylic, but it will be a while before he gets big enough to scratch the tank. Even if it does get that big, you will have no trouble getting rid of it. L200 is another great pleco already suggested.
 
The did look like the rhino pleco, but more of a dome body rather than angular, and without the horns. But the color, tail, and banding are close to what I used to have.

I am thinking I'll get the royal pleco, maybe that black & white one. I have wood in my tank, I assume he'll eat the wood? Are they active like the common, or do they mostly hang around when they're not eating?

Those blue/green phantoms are really neat too...
 
With Royals provide plenty of wood and a few other caves to hang out. You might not see it much for a few days to weeks as it settles in, but once it does, they become quite active with the lights on. My little guy (4") has settled in nicely. I've had him now about a month and he is out all day. As soon as I put cuc's or zuchinni in, he is all over it pushing all other fish ot of the way.
 
Awesome. I read a few posts about them digging/moving sand around which I think will be cool to see. I have a sand bottom and I like watching my fish play in it.
 
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