Plecos for Small Aquariums

[Wiggles92]

What species of plecos are recommended for small aquariums? I was thinking of converting a few of my 10 gallons and maybe a 20 long and a 29 gallon to pleco-based aquariums with the intention of breeding them.

I've found quite a few species that I like, but I'm not sure which ones will work best in these smaller aquariums. I especially like the plecos with striped patterns (L066, L046, etc.), but there are a few others that have caught my eye.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cmsbthebest]

oto's
bristlenose
clown plecos (if you have driftwood)

there are other more rare types too

 

[Jc1119]

If it were me, based on bioload alone id go with the biggest tank you can even for some small plecos. The 29 would be your best bet. My 5" L204 could dirty up my 90 in a hurry. Poop machines they are.

L066 grows to about 6" and are mostly carnivorous which doesnt help with the bioload, and more than one in that size tank is hit or miss due to territoriality. Now the L046 on the other hand grows to just about 4" tops and prefers to be kept in groups. Downside is they typically run around $200 per fish.

LDA01 or L002 stay small and are fairly cheap, but they require wood. L260's like to be in small groups and stay small too

 

[Wiggles92]

oto's
bristlenose
clown plecos (if you have driftwood)

there are other more rare types too

If it were me, based on bioload alone id go with the biggest tank you can even for some small plecos. The 29 would be your best bet. My 5" L204 could dirty up my 90 in a hurry. Poop machines they are.

L066 grows to about 6" and are mostly carnivorous which doesnt help with the bioload, and more than one in that size tank is hit or miss due to territoriality. Now the L046 on the other hand grows to just about 4" tops and prefers to be kept in groups. Downside is they typically run around $200 per fish.

LDA01 or L002 stay small and are fairly cheap, but they require wood. L260's like to be in small groups and stay small too

Thanks for the advice from both of you!

I was thinking of majorly over-filtering the aquarium(s) and large weekly water changes in order to deal with the large volume of waste plus I also planned on having driftwood, so that should help my situation, right? Also, are the mentioned plecos easy to breed?

 

[lmt6600]

as far as breeding... Bristlenose are easy, otherwise I think they need special care and attention to breed the other types... i been trying my group of L200's but no such luck.

 

[JML1997]

If you have some cash, and want to make some money of the fry, defiantely get some Zebras(L46). If you just want a nice pleco that won't cost as much; you could try Green or Blue Phantoms(L200)&(L128).

 

[fishman61]

candy striped pleco, I think also known as a clown pleco

 

[WyldFya]

If you have some cash, and want to make some money of the fry, defiantely get some Zebras(L46). If you just want a nice pleco that won't cost as much; you could try Green or Blue Phantoms(L200)&(L128).

Neither L128 or L200 (either species) stay small enough for those tanks.

 

[WyldFya]

as far as breeding... Bristlenose are easy, otherwise I think they need special care and attention to breed the other types... i been trying my group of L200's but no such luck.

There are many others that breed readily in aquaria, but you need to be diligent, and the right setup. L200s are not easy, I've bred them before, but they are extremely difficult. The biggest problem is the lack of age/size to most people's stock of L200/L128.

 

[yayfish24]

There are many others that breed readily in aquaria, but you need to be diligent, and the right setup. L200s are not easy, I've bred them before, but they are extremely difficult. The biggest problem is the lack of age/size to most people's stock of L200/L128.

A little off topic but did you happen to write anything about your l200's breeding? Im trying to do the same with mine.