Ropefish Tankmates

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I think it was magpie magpie who had a para with her ropes and bichirs, the para is one I really want
 
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You will have to watch your lvls probably weekly wc 50 to 80%, that doesn't hurt anyway. I had 7 polys, bn pleco, ctenapoma, 2 geophagus, 5 filamented barbs, I had a 15g tank attached that had 3 small 2" polys and 3- 1"multis also. Filtration was a fluval 206 and 406 and some pothos and tank was planted with anubias and trident fern. Once I started 80% wc weekly my trates were under 40ppm. No ammonia or trites. Barbs were 4-5", most polys were 6+, ctenapoma 5+ geos 3+. I'd say you will be ok if you have good filters, moderate flow, and keep up on maintanance.
My 75.
 
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This might be an odd question, but does anyone know how wide the para pleco gets? Length is less of an issue. (Obviously, having ropefish means I am ok with fish that will grow quite long.) But I have seen some plecos in pet stores that have such huge heads, they almost look like shoes in a fish tank! I would be fine with a 9" pleco, but if it gets over 3" wide, I think it will look out of place.
 
I had a para pleco (L075) and I highly recommend them. I loved her as she was fairly outgoing for a pleco and gorgeous. She liked her cave but I had it near the edge of the tank so could always see her. But she would also come out and hang out, too. Very much an omnivore - always out at feeding time. Not much of an algae eater.

9 inches would be the absolute tops. Mine didn't grow that much in the time I had her (1.5 years), and they have long tails. Mine was about 6ish. I think it would take them a loooong time to get to 9 if they did get that big. She was nicely proportioned - no wider than my 10" Delhezi.


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Agree that a 65 would be better but a 50 could work for smaller ropes... did I miss the upgrade timeline? 5 ropes in a 50 might be a bit much. You might start with 3 and then get 2 more later after the upgrade.
 
Thank you for the advice. The para pleco is indeed a beautiful fish. It's good to know it won't grow huge too quickly.
 
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Also want to echo what twenty said about ropes and growth - it's MUCH slower than the other polys in my experience (which when young is about 1"/month). So that buys you time. :)
 
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