Okay, so I just came to the decision to get a pleco. I had one eat a rather interesting betta so plecas kinds were in my list of unloved fish but theydo keep algae off of a tank. My question is, how big will it get how quick with an all you can eat algae buffet? A 3" pleco from wallmart are cheap and there are some cool looking ones there
I need one, now, and biggish
- Thread starter Basskeeper
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It's no good having a fish who cleans the algae off the glass if he poops out 4 times more of a mess than he cleans. I love plecs. I'm smack in the middle of setting up a 130 g tank for fancy plecs. But they deserve to be bought, taken care of & appreciated like any other fish. Get to know them and they've got funny awesome personalities. If you buy a plec to clean algae you'll spend a lot more time cleaning up after him than you would've scraping algae. 
Agreed with above but you'll be amazed by how quick it will clear a tank with not much growth. Not knowing which pleco your looking at makes growth rates difficult but in general they are not fast growers but will end up huge depending on which one. Sorry I can't be more help just working from the info at hand
Don't buy any from Wal-Mart. The only ones I've seen sold there consistently will reach 18+" in overall length.
If you want plecos that are herbivorous and beta friendly go with a bushynose. Bushynose plecos are nice ones to own. They also come in a variety of bred colors which gives you more options in that respect.
I must also stress that having a pleco is the same as owning any other fish. They are all alive and deserve the respect that comes with that.
If you want plecos that are herbivorous and beta friendly go with a bushynose. Bushynose plecos are nice ones to own. They also come in a variety of bred colors which gives you more options in that respect.
I must also stress that having a pleco is the same as owning any other fish. They are all alive and deserve the respect that comes with that.
X2, tank dimensions and the amount of Gallons will decide for you!
Don't ever underestimate the growthrate in some plecos.
Got one Hypostomus, who was not growing anymore,so they said...at 8"
Until I started to FEED him (they eat more than 1 zuchinni, next to the algae-tablets!) and now he's passed 10" and in a 6' tank,he's getting big.
Some plecos grow up to several feet, how big is your tank?
Don't ever underestimate the growthrate in some plecos.
Got one Hypostomus, who was not growing anymore,so they said...at 8"
Until I started to FEED him (they eat more than 1 zuchinni, next to the algae-tablets!) and now he's passed 10" and in a 6' tank,he's getting big.
Some plecos grow up to several feet, how big is your tank?