Pleco in outdoor pond?!?!?

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Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Nov 16, 2009
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'MERICA
I am woundering if i can put my 7 inch sailfin pleco in my pond for only the summer. I live in northern california and the weather here in the summer is 75F-100F. How cold can a pleco tolerate and will he survive the winter if i dont take him inside thank you!
 
They actually do quite well in ponds during the summer, but I'm not sure about the winter. Most people I have known have taken them inside, but I also lived in chicago.
 
When I was a kid I live in Hayward CA and, my 20g tank blew a seal, water everywhere. Not knowing wtf to do I threw my fish in the pond. The next day most were floating. Summer came and mom made me clean the pond and there was my pleco splashing in the mud and twicw his size. Now, I'm 30 years older and I tried this last year as my fish pond was outta control with algae, still in the eastbay but, that pleco died. So, 50/50?
 
I've kept them outside a few times. they seemed to do best in well aerated ponds, this being said if the pond houses koi or other fish and is well maintained you should have a fat and sassy pleco. Just make sure to acclimate him well first. I use to put mine in a 5 gal bucket in the AM then around 10am start drip acclimateing him w/ pond water. he was in the pond around noon. always put the bucket in the shade. and It was likely overkill. but was when I was living in north burbs of chicago/southern wis area. so the inside temp and outside temps where fairly different. He stayed out there until mid-fall usually w/out issue. imo the biggest impact is making sure to acclimate them, and be alot more careful about it then you think you need to be. Did this w/ my guy until he got about 18" and I found him a new home, being my largest tank was a 55. think it was bout 5yrs.
 
The pleco should be fine in a pond.
 
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