Help me with a 55 gallon pleco please

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J

JenTN

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 17, 2007
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Knoxville, TN
I have searched and researched so much my brain hurts, lol. So help me out on the plec guys!!
55 gallon South American planted tank (want Pleco to be South American as well)
Stock will be:

2 Angels (have now)
5 Bolivian Rams
15 Lemon Tetras
I was planning on a small school of Cory’s and a small pleco- like a bristlenose. However, I am thinking of nixing the Cory’s- here’s why. First, with the 5 Rams (I am going to order them online from European stock) I worry that they will stake out the bottom part of the tank and might harass the Cory’s. Second, Cory’s aren’t my favorite, my main reason for having them is to have some action on the bottom- and Rams should take care of that. Third- my three year old son thinks Plecos are like the coolest fish ever. Seriously, if the kid could fill the 55 gallon with “suckerfishes” he would. That’s all he really asks for. So I can cut back on the Cory’s and get a little larger Pleco. Plus- shhhh-don’t tell anyone- I have always had a softspot for Plecos too. When I was a kid, they were my favorite fish in the tank. I still like em, especially the less common ones.

Here’s what I want- let’s see what you guys can throw at me! If my LFS can’t order, I can order online. I don’t mind the spendy Pleco’s either (to an extent)- I can splurge on a really cool one. I like the zebras, but not gonna pay that much for a small Pleco.

Okay- I want good algae eating. I know this may be hard, but I want one that doesn’t hide all the time either- since my kids will want to see him/her hanging on the glass. Ideally, it would be largish (5+ inches) but will be in the 55 gallon for life-that’s not negotiable. I would like cool colors/patterns. I don’t want it overturning/eating my plants eather. I’ll have driftwood for it, and zucchini, sinking pellets, whatever. Temperature is 76F ph is 7.2 – hardness 150 ppm.

Don’t be shy, throw em at me.:popcorn:
 
your fish selection are the more peaceful non aggression type..

So i would say get a pleco that aren't aggressive..

Try L-190 Royal L-200 Green Phantom, L-081 Gold Nugget, Mango Pleco...
You might be able to find the 1st two in your LFS..

Or even try snowball pleco or other fancy.. None of the meat eating plecos.
 
zerojquan85;3281807; said:
your fish selection are the more peaceful non aggression type..

So i would say get a pleco that aren't aggressive..

Try L-190 Royal L-200 Green Phantom, L-081 Gold Nugget, Mango Pleco...
You might be able to find the 1st two in your LFS..

Or even try snowball pleco or other fancy.. None of the meat eating plecos.
Click to expand...


Ohh...I like the Green Phantom, Gold Nugget and Snowball!!

I like the Royal, but it looks too big for my tank...I don't think it could turn around.
 
L-128, L-134, L-200, L-201, L-204, L-205, L-066, L-260(I believe), L-270, and the L-191 is a royal that stays under 10". There's more but that's what I could think of right now.
 
The Green Phantom (L200) is way cool. They come in either green (the L200) or Blue (the L128) and they have white spots all over them. Mine isn't shy at all. I like the Snowballs, too. Gorgeous! I've got a Plec tank with 6 (for now) herbivore Plecs in there and not one of those chunky little things will touch algae. So don't expect any of them to. Just get the one you really like the best. You might want to ask around about shyness. Some are known for it. I'd have to put in a vote for the L191, too. My 2 are wonderful eager eaters and out all the time. They're green & black striped-real cool looking and max out at about 9" or so but it'd take him 5 yrs to get that big.
All of mine are here--> My Plecs
 
For a 55 gallon.. u really can't house too many of the exotic plecos.. I have a 60 gallon with 3 pleco, chocolate albino, Albino common and Sailfin pleco.. all were bought around the same time and all grew from babies.. each are at 4" and their doing fine.. but they produce lots of waste..

I'd say if u want fancy.. Only have two good medium size ones.. and that should be good..

Also driftwood is key for plecos.. They like the softer water and surface.
 
JenTN;3281866; said:
Okay, I REALLY like the snowball...who cares if it doesn't eat much algae...it's freakin cute as a button....
Click to expand...

I have a snowball pleco. they r soo cool and mine loves zucchini.


cichlid040.jpg
 
I have no experience with them, but I've seen alot of people say their L-200 green phantom is quite active, and not a hider like alot of other plecos tend to be.
 
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