Sucessfully keeping a pleco with bichir, it can be done... sometimes

[DMD123]

Ive had the pleco forever so when I wanted bichir I really did not think twice and just grew them out together. My rhino was not the easiest fish to accept the bichirs for sure. Not a slime coat sucker to be a slime coat sucker. But it would go after the bichirs in a territorial way. Well woke one morning to the pleco missing most of a pectoral fin. I think the weeksii fought back. Ever since then the pleco does not even try to fight with a bichir. It tends to give them a wide berth. The fin grew back and all is well. Of course the larger the tank the better. They all grew up together in a 72" 210g and now reside in a 96" 300g.

Just sharing a few pics

 

[Burbotman]

Nice Pleco.... I guess ( not a Pleco man). Kudos on growing them out together. For 5 years I had a bristle nose in with my ploys with no issues, but always read they were one of the few that could co habitat. Good on you, but keep a watch full on that dark beast

 

[DMD123]

I am not a pleco guy either but like the armored look of ones like the rhino. I still keep a watchful eye out but I think the pleco has developed a taste for mopani wood and constantly is sucking on the three large pieces in the tank. Also he is very outgoing and gets right in the thick of it when it's feeding time.

Any others have success keeping pleco and bichir? Feel free to post pics and let us know what type of pleco you have.

 

[jwh]

I've had a 35cm gibiceps with my poly's without problems, kept it well fed though, zucchini, wafers, peas etc. a number of pleco's need wood in their diet as a digestive aid, I had one piece of wood that they favored, completely hollowed it out over a number of years.

 

[DMD123]

I generally name all my fish but the pleco has been around for some years now and is unnamed. A close up of 'It's' head. Reminds me of the klingon's from Star Trek. Love the little forehead ridge!

 

[jaws7777]

I have no issues keeping my L200 with polys. Infact the ornate bullys him

 

[jaws7777]

I had a bad @$$ L600 a while back that never bothered the del. Would flip out anytime the pearsei was near (they had BEEF lol) but shared all the hides with the del

 

[DMD123]

Yeah I remember that L600, it was a fighter! I used to have an L001 that would go at it and head butt a big midas over food and a hiding spot. I did not have polys back then but I highly doubt it would have got along.