Pleco vs Poly, is it really a showdown?

[Cthulhubone]

It's my understanding that keeping plecos with a senegal bichir is a bad idea. They allegedly will attach themselves any chance they get to the bichirs and... its not really a showdown, but bad none the less. So please excuse my click bait title.
But I see a lot of fishkeepers on this site talking about them both in a way that it's obvious they are in the same tank.

 

[tlindsey]

It's my understanding that keeping plecos with a senegal bichir is a bad idea. They allegedly will attach themselves any chance they get to the bichirs and... its not really a showdown, but bad none the less. So please excuse my click bait title.
But I see a lot of fishkeepers on this site talking about them both in a way that it's obvious they are in the same tank.

Never kept Pleco's with any of my Polypterus but found this thread for you until other members reply.https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/pleco-v-polypterus.566420/#post-6749642

 

[Cthulhubone]

Never kept Pleco's with any of my Polypterus but found this thread for you until other members reply.https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/pleco-v-polypterus.566420/#post-6749642

That thread is confirmation enough for me. I realize temperament factors in but, seems like a clear cut no to me.

 

[Polyaddict86]

Ive keep some clown pleco with senegals, they dont harm the polys they just mind they own bussines.

I think the common pleco are the bad combo for polys.

 

[JordanJ]

I currently keep a 16” sailfin with the majority of my Polypterus with no ill effect.

It’s not clear cut though, lots of people have had issues.

 

[kno4te]

Don’t think lots of members have had issues. Seems like 50/50 to me but who’s counting. Usually seen when the plecos aren’t fed properly. If not fed and it decides to suck on a bichirs slime coat then it won’t stop. There’s something in the slimecoat....forgot of the top of my head.....it’s like crack(addictive) to plecos and it won’t stop.

 

[DMD123]

Ive kept a Rhino pleco with bichirs and had issues with territorial behavior. The pleco would suck slime coat but more of a get away from my area kind of way, as long as the polys stayed out of its area it would not seek them out the suck on them. When I decided to get more bichir, I also decided to rehome the rhino pleco because of his territorial behavior.

 

[twentyleagues]

Certain plecos are good some not so much. Mostly the herbivores are good, omnivores too. But not always. Kind of a try it and see. I have a bristle nose with mine no issues.

 

[jaws7777]

I've had L200, L600, and what ever.gold nuggets are with Polys no issues.

If possible get a carnivorous pleco that way they'll all eat the same foods

 

[magpie]

I don't think it's a hard no at all. I think it's a matter of picking correctly, feeding well, and watching closely.

Avoid a common pleco - they seem to be the major problem plecos.

I had 2 with my bichirs and had zero issues. A L183 (white seam ancistrus / BN) and a L075 (peckoltia sabaji aka para pleco).

T thefredpit has kept lots of varieties with his as well.