What to stock with zebra plecos?

[saylaveev]

Hi there,

I am looking at moving my zebra plecos (2) into a 40 gallon tank.

What can I keep with them that won't heavily compete with them for food.

As it stands now I have to fight to keep weight on them because they are so skittish (despite heavy coverage and a dim tank)

they do have a lone zebra danio to keep them company but he doesn't really pay attention to the food on the floor.

any thoughts? I would love to give them a great tank to be in, right now they're in a 10 gallon.

 

[Honda12]

I would only keep very peaceful fish with them, like tetras and stuff. Those are so expensive, it would be shame if anything were to happen to them.

 

[dougefresh]

I would only keep very peaceful fish with them, like tetras and stuff. Those are so expensive, it would be shame if anything were to happen to them.

 

[saylaveev]

I agreee totally. I not only paid a fortune for them I waited for 2 years to find them.

I just find that most tetras are to fast for them and then I have to worry about their food supply.

Do you have any particular fish suggestions that you think would work? Maybe a large school of hatchets... they would be well out of their way.

anything else? Thanks so much

 

[WyldFya]

With such a valuable fish, and not a relatively big tank, I would prefer to keep them in a tank alone. My 1 Zebra is alone in a 20 gallon, and that is how he will stay, unless I get more. If you do put anything in the tank, make sure it isn't aggressive, obviously, no breeding pairs, no bottom dwellers, no carnivores, nothing to skittish, and nothing that is just plain messy. Do not go overboard, and overstock the tank. If you do tetras I would only stock it with 15 or less.

 

[Miles]

Black ghost knife and a school of silver hatchets would make a nice combo? Feed it plenty of meat, right? Bloodworms/Beefheart for the BGK and Zplec would be good, but Im no Zebra pleco expert..

 

[K C]

With such a valuable fish, and not a relatively big tank, I would prefer to keep them in a tank alone. My 1 Zebra is alone in a 20 gallon, and that is how he will stay, unless I get more. If you do put anything in the tank, make sure it isn't aggressive, obviously, no breeding pairs, no bottom dwellers, no carnivores, nothing to skittish, and nothing that is just plain messy. Do not go overboard, and overstock the tank. If you do tetras I would only stock it with 15 or less.

 

[LoTech]

My zebras have been kept with angels, peaceful livebearers, and other smallish plecos. Feeding just before lights-out will help make sure they get enough food. Since I have other plecos in there as well, the food never goes to waste.

 

[WyldFya]

I'd be careful about angels and other plecos. There is often unseen aggression between plecos. Angels can be very aggressive, and have been known to kill a pleco that was in their territory.

 

[loach43]

I wouldn't chance getting any angels either. You might get that "wild card" evil angel.
There IS however one bottom dweller that comes to mind that would be 100% totally safe.
Kuhli loaches. You could even get a small batch of em'. Harmless! Just be sure & remember to give them sand or smallish substrate with no jagged edges.