Cory Cleaning Plec

[aspuded]

one of my corys has formed a tight relationship with my plec. he (or she!) cleans the plec constantly and ive watched the plec almost roll over like a dog to have his belly nibbled! they always seem to be together! has anyone else seen a relationship like this? is it normal?

70gallon
5 silver dollars
5 panda corys
6 sunset tetras
3 phantom tetras
6 danios
1 loved up pleco!

 

[greyko]

Sounds like a mutualistic relationship!
It happens with a lot of animals and plants in nature, you'll see photos of birds riding on the back of animals, picking off insects and parasites, of course, fish cleaning other fish in reefs.
No idea if it's a normal thing for corys and plecs though!

You should post some pics.

 

[babybell911]

You should count yourself lucky all my plec does is bully my beautiful corries he'll chase them half way round the tank if he's in a bad mood!!!
Some pictureswould be good though

 

[ulster exile]

Are you sure it's a cory and not just a small Chinese Algae Eater? If it is, it could be sucking the (protective) slime off your plec, which is not good at all!

 

[aspuded]

Are you sure it's a cory and not just a small Chinese Algae Eater? If it is, it could be sucking the (protective) slime off your plec, which is not good at all!

jesus u had me worried then! no, its definatly a corys! will try an get some pics posted tomorrow- lights already off tonight and dont want to disturb them.

 

[Qays]

Lol! thats really cool!!

 

[furryrabbit]

i thought i was the only one! < lol > my plec and cory < ronan and dave > are always next to each other. they live in the same flowerpot and are never more than a couple of inches away from each other. when i moved my plec to a bigger tank , dave became very easily spooked and whenever i put my face up to the tank he would go nuts for a few seconds. so i moved him and the two other bronzes < who never behave this way > to the bigger tank. it must be the sense of security.