Pleco for a 26 gallon

[kakojones]

Need a pleco or other algae eater for a 26 gallon with about 6 live bearers, platy/swordtail. the only one I can think of is possibly a bristle nose?

 

[WyldFya]

BNs will work fine, but otos will work better, and stay tiny.

 

[kakojones]

didn't even think about ottos. I may stick with them.

 

[davo]

Otocinclus, Farowella, Chaetostoma and Ancistrus will all do fine. There are plenty of species of each, so you'll have something to choose from.

Remember, plecos, in general aren't as good as a algae scraper, and add a lot to the bioload of the tank. But, it might work great for you

 

[kakojones]

The tank these guys are in is the first one i have had for only livebearers (more into ponds with natives and want, no need a monster tank in the house), so of course since everything I checked said to use aquarium salt for the platies and swords. Is the aquarium salt ok for the ottos??
I know I'll still need to use the scraper, but I'd like to use it a little less often.
thanks for all the info so far.

 

[COL]

Salt is not to be used with any pleco, outside of short medicinal stunts.

 

[davo]

I would personally not use it with ottos, and if you still do, only a very very small amount. I have found them to be quite delicate fish. Are you using it to med the tank?

 

[justin]

I have used normal amounts with a queen arabesque, chocolate pleco, and ottos had no problem at all.

 

[justin]

Also a vampire and grey leopard

 

[shallow]

how big do vampires get?