Stingrays and plecos?

[14crazychris]

Hi all,

Anyone have any first hand experience keeping plecos with a ray? my future stocking plans are a single black diamond male and I would love to keep a few plecos. Ideally I’d like a blue-eyed plec, Panaque cochliodon. The ray will be priority though so if it’s a no go then that’s okay. Alternatively I could try some algae eating plecos like watermoln/ royal pleco etc. I don’t want any bulk standard bristle nose etc only fancy ones lol.

thank you

 

[Caveden]

I think it depends on the plecos personality itself. I have never actually seen a pleco sucking on a rays slimecoat, but I’ve heard stories of it.
You can try adding in a pleco and the stingray, however if you do notice issues with the stingray’s coat you should assume it’s from the pleco and remove it. The combination may work but trial and error

 

[14crazychris]

I think it depends on the plecos personality itself. I have never actually seen a pleco sucking on a rays slimecoat, but I’ve heard stories of it.
You can try adding in a pleco and the stingray, however if you do notice issues with the stingray’s coat you should assume it’s from the pleco and remove it. The combination may work but trial and error

Okay thanks, maybe it would be best to stick to algae eating plecos as well to further prevent any potential problems. Maybe I’ll just have to try it and find out as you say.
thanks

 

[Matteus]

My first hand experience was that the plecos would Harass my rays. Second hand experience is that others have been able to make it work with larger sizes of both plecos and rays. Wood in the tank seems to give the plecos something to graze on and a place to hide.

some sp that I have heard of working (seen them working on friends tanks) cactus, Adonis, sunshine, albino sailfin

if the rays are used to other fish with them, they will often not tolerate the pleco trying to bug them. But others that are more timid will just let the pleco ho to town.

 

[14crazychris]

My first hand experience was that the plecos would Harass my rays. Second hand experience is that others have been able to make it work with larger sizes of both plecos and rays. Wood in the tank seems to give the plecos something to graze on and a place to hide.

some sp that I have heard of working (seen them working on friends tanks) cactus, Adonis, sunshine, albino sailfin

if the rays are used to other fish with them, they will often not tolerate the pleco trying to bug them. But others that are more timid will just let the pleco ho to town.

interesting that’s good to know! Yeah I plan on have some big pieces of drift wood in the tank so many that will help. I’ve always wanted a few fancy plecos so I’m hoping they will be okay together fingers crossed.