Turtle/pleco?

[Conner]

I was wondering if it was possible for a false map turtle and a common pleco to coexist peacefully? I've got a 7-8" pleco in my feeder tank, but I'd like to move him to the 55g where he'd have more space. The only problem is the turtle is in that tank.

Will they leave each other alone?
Will the pleco suck on the turtles shell?
Will the turtle murder the pleco?

The turtle is currently coexisting with a group of feeder comets, and a group of baby convict cichlids (1" and less).

 

[tiddlywinks]

lol my cousion has a convict and a turtle together in a 18 gal..... im sure they would be fine

 

[snakeguy101]

i dont think it would be a problem as long as the turtle has a bit of size on him. my chief concern would be the pleco drowning the turtle if it decides to latch on. Just keep a close eye on them.

 

[Conner]

Oh, the turtle is easily 5 times the size of the pleco. The turtle has a 7" long carapace, while the pleco is only about 7" long total. So no chance of the pleco drowning the turtle. I think I'll toss the pleco in and see. I'm not real attached to it, so if it doesn't make it I wouldn't be super upset...

 

[Brooklynella]

Plecos have soft bellies. It's just a matter of time, IMO.

 

[krzr3000]

I would think its likely the pleco may get bit since they sit still a lot. Like someone else said they have a soft underside. But it may work...idk. Is the tank "cycled" for fish? May not matter to you since the fish may be eaten anyways but i know many people don't treat turtle filtration and water changes like they would with fish.

 

[Conner]

The tank was a fish tank before I put the turtle in (as in running with fish until about 30 minutes before the turtle was added). It's filtered by a Penguin 350 and a Cascade 700 (both more than large enough for a 55g).

There are already about 10 feeder comets in there the turtle wouldn't eat, plus about 8-10 small (baby) convicts, none bigger than an inch. So its definitely cycled.

The turtle checked out the pleco a couple of times, but never bit at it, and then when back to her normal swimming around looking for food, and going crazy whenever I walk up to the tank .

I can't believe how much her activity level has changed by moving her to the larger tank. She spends a LOT more time swimming around now than she used to.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I keep a large common pleco with 3 turtles and have never had any issues. The pleco just sits there and lets the turtles crawl all over it. Now during feeding time it's another story. They pleco protects his food from the pushy turtles by boxing with them using it's sharp pectoral fins. After a few jabs the turtles back off.

 

[Mike D]

shouldnt be an issue. ive kept plecos in with some of my old painteds. never had an issue.

this is going to sound bad but at least they are cheap if it does get eaten

 

[tiddlywinks]

go common plecos(THEY POOP ALOT)