How Many Plecos and How Big? ALSO.........anything to fear???

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hitman962

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 18, 2014
7
0
0
Salt Lake City
I managed to buy a leaky 230 gallon aquarium and once I find the leak and set it up, I'd like to stock it with large fresh water fish, like African Cichlids, discus or a few other species I can think of that I've never had because I've never had a tank large enough to even consider buying any.

My question is about plecos. How many can I keep in a tank that size?

In my 55 gallon aquarium, my Pleco (Festus) was 18" long when we had to give him, the tank and the few other fish that remained away. I'd love to buy a few more plexos for my new tank, but only if I can, and if they won't create any problems. Your responses will be greatly appreciated. Although I've had aquariums all my life (I am now 62) for the past 13 years I've just had a 3,000 gallon pond, but that too is now out of commission due to a leak cause by an unknown critter. 3? 4? I'd be happy. hitman962
 
Most of the small plecos are ok together. If you want the more common plecos(the larger ones), I'd highly recommend buying them as babies and letting them grow up together. Also it would be better to buy more then two to lessen the aggression. As with any plecos, always give lots of hiding places.
 
I've only got a 72 gallon tank, and currently have 6 plecos:
1 Leopard Sailfin (about 7 to 8 inches)
1 Green Phantom (about 3 inches)
1 Golden Nugget (about 3 inches)
1 King Tiger (about 2 inches)
1 Blue Panaque (about 2 1/2 inches)
1 Zebra (less than 1 inch)

I got the 1st 3 1 1/2 years ago (when I first got my tank). I added the King Tiger about 3 months later, and the Blue Panaque another 3 months after that. I got the Zebra Pleco about 5 months ago. They all seem to get along fine.

If I feel that the plecos are outgrwoing the tank, I'll deal with that when the time comes.
 
I got my tank stocked with nothing but pleco's right now. 135 gallon with some really big guys and some smallish ones. Aggression is an issue in my case though. I lost one after being attacked. My L330 went from being a gentle giant to a big bully. I do plan on giving it it's own smaller aquarium along with some others. Just do some research. PlanetCatfish has allot of info on pleco's.

Was there anything in particular you wanted to get?
 
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