Pleco sucking on FRT shell ~ Is this bad?

[Gr8KarmaSF]

gotta play it on the safe side with squirttle....

 

[lalo]

ive read tons of articles that said to not keep frts with plecos!reason being if the frts has a wound or fungus it can become worse with the pleco sucking on it!i have 2 frts only in the tank.plecos NO GOOD buddy!

 

[redtailfool]

It can become a problem quickly if your water isn't perfect for the FRT. FRTs do best in brackish heavily alkaline conditions. They also have a slime layer as is evidenced by their habit of sloughing after transport. Breaking this layer can leave them vulnerable to infection. At any rate, why would you want to risk a rare and expensive FRT with a $2 pleco?

agreed .. that could cause a fungal infection on the shell . I would separate the pleco asap.
Besides, frts produce a lot of waste and so does a pleco. Its just not a good mix.

 

[flyrt]

if its a common pleco, i wouldnt worry about it. I have 8 frt's with a foot long common pleco for over a year with no problem.

 

[redtailfool]

if its a common pleco, i wouldnt worry about it. I have 8 frt's with a foot long common pleco for over a year with no problem.

But why would you leave a pleco rasping at an frt's shell ?

 

[Peanut_Power]

if its a common pleco, i wouldnt worry about it. I have 8 frt's with a foot long common pleco for over a year with no problem.

Nice!! In a way it almost seems benificial to the FRT....like if it was a bristlenose cuz it would eat any algae. I am nervous to risk it though.

Quick question though, at what size do FRT start eating fish? Do they actively search them out and eat them? Cuz I kept Herbert with my pikes without any problems...but I'm cautious to put him with my new fish because they are small....any ideas?

 

[Chad55]

I always thought they were vegetarians and don't eat fish. I know that they don't hunt fish though. I'm sure though if one happened to cross his path and was small enough and he was hungry the fish would be gone.

Chad

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

peanut - i dont think there is a certain specific size but they are more prone to crave protein or fish when younger....

flyrt - you have 8 frt's wow!

 

[redtailfool]

Jer - theres an ongoing debate among frt owners on this. But the consesus is that once they hit 8 inches ( carapace size ), they start to hunt for fish in their diet. Theres also the individuals frts personality. I had one that started to bite of tails of fish at about 5 inches.

 

[Peanut_Power]

Bugga...does keepin them with larger fish help? Or am i gonna have to set Herbs. up in his own tank pretty soon?