pleco for a cichlid tank - need advice

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ewok

ewok

Fire Eel
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May 25, 2007
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ok i am going to try this again. there was some feedback in my previous thread regarding my choice of plecos in a cichlid tank that turned out to be poor choices. so i want to leave the floor open to ideas.
here are some criteria i have. i am sure there has to be some pleco that meets these requirements

- isn't too common. i don't want to get a common brown pleco or whatever the $2.99 plecos at petsmart are, so please don't bring them up
- isn't going to get over 8" long
- looks good
- can hold it's own with cichlids. my cichlids don't mess with anything other than each other. clown loaches and what not are pretty much left to their own devices, but having said that i just want something that isn't going to die from just a few pecks.
- eats algae. i KNOW that plecos aren't just the garbage crew in a tank... they have their own dietary requirements etc. etc. BUT it would be nice if they could help with whatever algae issues come along. so DON'T flame me for bringing up the algae thing.

thanks and i really want to find something soon. cheers.
 
Why are you making a new thread? This could have been merged with your previous posts.

The only things that would do reasonably well in your tank and meet your requirements ARE, in fact, hypostomini/pterygoplichyini fish, i.e. your "common" plecos. If you're looking for something a little more rustic looking, try hypostomus cochliodon and kin.
 
How about a Goldspot L001, OK they get to 12" eventually, but not as big as the Gibbys and Commons. They do pretty well on the glass cleaning scene, and are about as tough as plecos get.
:headbang2

Cheers

Ian
 
What about a Bristlenose pleco...depending on the size of the cichlids..I have 3 of em...they don't get too big only like 4-5"..and they can hold their own...i have a nasty one that challenges my rams their favourite spot...
I have a male and female in a 55 gallon and they chase each other around all the time.
 
COL;1160176; said:
Why are you making a new thread? This could have been merged with your previous posts.
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geez, what's up with you, man? :screwy:
it's not like i'm offending anyone by creating a new thread... or are you some kind of new thread nazi. sheesh
 
scruffy;1160217; said:
What about a Bristlenose pleco...depending on the size of the cichlids..I have 3 of em...they don't get too big only like 4-5"..and they can hold their own...i have a nasty one that challenges my rams their favourite spot...
I have a male and female in a 55 gallon and they chase each other around all the time.
Click to expand...

thanks for the advice, ian. will look into that

i have a small bristlenose. i just wanted some variety ;)
he eats algae like crazy so i know he's kind of doing his thing :)
 
"geez, what's up with you, man?
it's not like i'm offending anyone by creating a new thread... or are you some kind of new thread nazi. sheesh"

It was actually a query, not a statement of disparagement, since it just doesn't seem logical when you could have saved yourself some amount of trouble. Just curious.

However, you're a little too easily offended, dude...lighten up and grow a pair.


"What about a Bristlenose pleco...depending on the size of the cichlids..I have 3 of em...they don't get too big only like 4-5"..and they can hold their own...i have a nasty one that challenges my rams their favourite spot..."
Rams aren't SAs. That kinda dissociates that observation with the situation at hand. However, you're right in that some of the central american ancistrus species are quite bold and heavyset, and would possibly work, but good luck finding anything of that nature.
 
COL;1162279; said:
"geez, what's up with you, man?
it's not like i'm offending anyone by creating a new thread... or are you some kind of new thread nazi. sheesh"

It was actually a query, not a statement of disparagement, since it just doesn't seem logical when you could have saved yourself some amount of trouble. Just curious.

However, you're a little too easily offended, dude...lighten up and grow a pair.
.
Click to expand...

welcome to the internet where sometimes things can be interpreted differently.

thank you for your comments.
 
Mr Pleco;1162299; said:
I've always been partial to the Panaque's or Pseudacanthicus species

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=27

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=40

Good luck finding a center piece pleco it can take some time.......:headbang2
Click to expand...

these look cool!
there are some royal panaques in the LFS i go to but their sunken tummies are making me think twice about picking some up unfortunately...
i think i'll go check out several LFS today and see what fortune brings :)
 
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