would lava rock hurt a pleco?

[icherno]

i have a cichlid tank decorated with only lava rock
i want to put a few plecos in there and am wondering if they were to lay down on the lava rock would it hurt their bellys

 

[justonemoretank]

It would probably scratch a pleco tummy. I wouldn't do it.

 

[icherno]

do you think slate would be better?

 

[justonemoretank]

Slate would probably be cool, as long as the edges aren't sharp -- you know how slate can break and have those sharp layer-y flakes (I'm sure there's some geologist somewhere crying at this description). You could just take some course sandpaper and sand the edges.

 

[Bottomfeeder]

Depends on wether or not the Pleco has a scaled belly IMO. Plecos with adipose fins generally have scaled bellies, while adipose fin-less Plecos have soft bellies. But even a scaled-bellied one would need somewhere soft to lay down on.

 

[dragonfish18]

i think it will be fine. they got nice thick scales

 

[[enjoyable_attempt]]

Ive had multiple types of pleco in with lava rock. The worst that ever happened to me, was when the fish got spooked or scared and would jet away he would sometimes scratch himself on the rock. It was never really severe tho.

 

[cdc]

My common is in a tank full of lava rock, it does'nt look like it bothers it.

 

[instantthc]

i agree the pleco is smart enough to scour in safe waters without rough edges.