Goldfish and a pleco

[Fish Buddy]

I had recently put a 8 inch pleco in with my 12 inch fantiled goldfish. At first I noticed no problem but now I see that my goldfish's fins are in terrible condition-shredded quite badly! I didn't know that plecos were so agressive. I guess I'm asking if there is anything I can do for the goldfish's fins besides moving the pleco out?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Keep the water as clean as possible and add some salt to the water (when the plec is out).

Are you sure it's the plec? I can't imagine it.

 

[Fish Buddy]

Well I don't know what else it could be. The goldfish was fine for over six months with just an otocinclus, then I added the large pleco and a few days later that's what I noticed... strange eh?

 

[Nethius]

plecos produce a large amount of waste, maybe the water quality is degrading?

what size tank, and filter?

 

[jimmyone]

Aren't Pleco's notorious for sucking Goldfish ?

I think it's like asking a fat man not to dribble whilst he smells a freshly cooked steak ?

Time for Pleco to go methinks

 

[Fish Buddy]

The tank is too small, but that's all I have. It is a 15 us gallon with a mini aqua clear. I had moved the pleco right away to a 20 gallon planted tank with more aggressive fish. Finly (the goldfish) still havs aweful looking fins... stupid pleco

 

[love fishies]

i heard plecos are not good for goldfish so I bought 2 ottos and they are happy and are not bugged by the goldfish. Try to get more ottos, I should have more but I clean my tank every time I do water change, it is relaxing for me.

 

[Aquascaper]

I've heard that plecs can & will attach onto goldfish, especially fantails as they are slow swimmers, but never seen it myself.

 

[Fish Buddy]

I've heard that plecs can & will attach onto goldfish, especially fantails as they are slow swimmers, but never seen it myself

That sounds scarry.
It's been a while but the goldfish's tail has not healed yet

 

[Fish Buddy]

Ahh, the oto that I replaced the pleco with was attached to the goldfish's tail!!! What's with these fish? (I have since removed all other fish from my goldfish's tank)

 

[wrs]

why not get some coldwater corries, i herd there are some of those. Or maybe some regular corries because I also herd that fancy goldfish like warmer water.

 

[Fish Buddy]

I would if they keep the brown algea down-but I thought they were scavenger type fish-no algea eating.

 

[gixer]

i would have a guess at it being down to poor water conditions.

you said it was a 15g right?

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Yeah, I agree with gixer (first time for everything ). A plec would not cause damage to fins, not liekly at all IMO.

I reckon you have water quality problems or disease.

 

[love fishies]

Wow what type of cories are you talking about, I won't add them yet until I upgrade but it is an option for later. Actually I don't think so I think my goldfish are ok with the danios don't want to push it, they are on the bottom scavenging for food all the time and they might get upset there are the cories there.