Do I Really Need A Pleco?

[SensesFail]

When I got my cichlids last week I was advised to maybe get a pleco in 1-2 weeks time which will keep the tank tip top. So far iv got no algae etc as the decorations etc are fairly new and before gettig the fish the lights were off.

Is it worth getting one or 2? And any ideas which kind to go with African cichlids? I know I'm pretty limited due to the water conditions required for cichlids. Ph is around 7.5 in my tank.

While we are on the subject I know its advisable to be over stocked with cichlids but I have many more can I have in my tank? Its 190 litres and I have 16 cichlids in at the moment with 3 cats? Leave it at that and get a pleco or skip the pleco get more cats or skip those and get cichlids haha,

Cheers guys

 

[elisew]

When I got my cichlids last week I was advised to maybe get a pleco in 1-2 weeks time which will keep the tank tip top. So far iv got no algae etc as the decorations etc are fairly new and before gettig the fish the lights were off.

Is it worth getting one or 2? And any ideas which kind to go with African cichlids? I know I'm pretty limited due to the water conditions required for cichlids. Ph is around 7.5 in my tank.

While we are on the subject I know its advisable to be over stocked with cichlids but I have many more can I have in my tank? Its 190 litres and I have 16 cichlids in at the moment with 3 cats? Leave it at that and get a pleco or skip the pleco get more cats or skip those and get cichlids haha,

Cheers guys

Firstly, a pleco probably won`t keep the tank in tip top condition as they`d rather eat foods other than the algae that`s growing in the tank/on the glass and a plec should never be used purely for eating algae anyway so it would be down to your cleaning schedule that the tank stays clean

Secondly, bristlenose plecs are probably the hardiest of the plecs but I was advised against keeping these with Mbuna because of the aggression, apparently the Mbuna will think nothing of pecking at the plecs eyes resulting in it becoming blind, how accurate this is I have no experience although when researching it I did read it`s a common occurrence, but I hope someone will be able to help you on that score.

Depending on the size of the tank, catfish i.e synodontis multipunctatus (cuckoo catfish) or synodontis petricola would be a good addition. Do be aware that catfish are prone to eating any fry that have been spawn/hatched on the substrate

 

[SensesFail]

Thanks for the advise have 3 synos but think I may just add to those numbers with 2 more maybe and when required clean the glass/stones etc love the petricolas

 

[AstonN24vantage]

if you can't see algae, theres not enough to be eaten. fi you want one, it needs other foods too.

 

[SensesFail]

if you can't see algae, theres not enough to be eaten. fi you want one, it needs other foods too.

Yer have food for them but not really desperate would prefer more petricolas. Alge will appear soon no doubt but that's ok I'll buy a scrubbing brush haha

 

[AstonN24vantage]

if you can't see algae, theres not enough to be eaten. fi you want one, it needs other foods too.

Yer have food for them but not really desperate would prefer more petricolas. Alge will appear soon no doubt but that's ok I'll buy a scrubbing brush haha

just wait till algae gets on rocks & stuff. then you'll be hahaing