I Guess Im In The Market For A Pleco Or Something

[thisguyek]

came home today to find my pleco of over 5 years dead. feel quite rotten about it. It was the first fish i got when i started and it made it through a few tanks and countless mistakes. i was beginning to think it was going to live forever.

just looking for ideas for other plecos or other bottom feeders. my water is on the hard side. maybe if anyone has pictures along with names that would be helpful

just start throwing them out there

 

[onidrase]

for the 55 gallon tank? Bristlenose plecos would be a good choice, they stay small, and are just as hardy.

 

[Fishy friend2]

a school of pygmy cories, or regular cories would work well, maybe a pit bull pleco, or a bristle nose pleco

 

[eaglesaquarium]

BN pleco would be a nice choice. I got one recently and really love it! Pit bulls are really small, so if you got with them, they prefer to be in groups.

Have a look at this list. Google should be able to help you find pics of anything you find interesting.

 

[Baccus]

A whole group of otocinclus would be nice, they stay small and good little cleaners but they don't tend to always stay around the bottom. Cory's are a good choice but don't over look some of the smaller loaches as well. Chain loaches, Yo-yo (Pakastani Loaches), Khuli loaches and probably a whole list more.

 

[Louiseness]

Do you want a plec for a particular reason or do you just like them?

I know people say you shouldn't use fish to solve your tank problems but if you're looking for a plec to sort any algae then a bristlenose is absolutely the number 1 choice by far imo.

 

[thisguyek]

Do you want a plec for a particular reason or do you just like them?

I know people say you shouldn't use fish to solve your tank problems but if you're looking for a plec to sort any algae then a bristlenose is absolutely the number 1 choice by far imo.

Nope, not a tank hygene issue... just grew fond of the one I had and would like to see another one grow up i guess.


Looks like the majority have said BN so far. will have a look see when i get some time. thanks for the comments!

 

[Baccus]

If you get a BN, keep an eye out for the longfinned ones they can look amazing as adults, but you would have to make sure there aren't sharp objects/ edges in the tank they could tear their fins on. Off the top of my head there are Red BN's, Marble, Albino, longfinned (as mentioned also get these in Albino), peppermint (very nice) and probably quite a few others that I just have not seen in Australia.

 

[thisguyek]

If you get a BN, keep an eye out for the longfinned ones they can look amazing as adults, but you would have to make sure there aren't sharp objects/ edges in the tank they could tear their fins on. Off the top of my head there are Red BN's, Marble, Albino, longfinned (as mentioned also get these in Albino), peppermint (very nice) and probably quite a few others that I just have not seen in Australia.

did some searching about... not sure if i like the ones with the super long spikes on their heads! I came across a 'starlight' bn and it looks much like the peppermint. does that sound about right? they look very nice indeed! guess ill have to shop around and see what i can find. would be nice to see them live before i make a decission.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'll be home all weekend if you want to stop over to see my BN. He's very amicable and friendly. If your willing to take the drive, you can have Christmas dinner with me and my family. I'm sure the BN will be staring at the veggies on the table.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Synodontic catfish are nice and they hang off decorations like plecos They are neat to watch and super cute.

 

[Baccus]

There might be some subtle differance between starlight and Peppermint, I don't know not sure I have come across a Starlight. When you said about the spikes on the head I think you saw an adult male BN the reason for the name.
Here's a pic of my boy Fuggly

He's ugly, but I love him, he is also quite placid which is good when it comes to catching him. I use my hands rather than a net because the sharp bristles on either side of their head that they extend when threatened get tangled in the net.

 

[moochy13]

thats a ncie sized tank, and can hold a wider variety of plecs than just pitbulls and BN's

you can get some seriously exotic looking plecs, that rather than melt into the background of your tank will be a proper centrepiece. you need to find out what is suitable to your tank and water, but people on this forum would lead you to believe the only plecs in existence are BN's

 

[Louiseness]

people on this forum would lead you to believe the only plecs in existence are BN's

Probably because they're just so hardy and cheap and easy to look after, and a nice sensible size to suggest to all the 'I have a common plec in a ten gallon' people

For the record, I hate the 'spikes' too so I have a female, she's still pretty ugly though!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

thats a ncie sized tank, and can hold a wider variety of plecs than just pitbulls and BN's

you can get some seriously exotic looking plecs, that rather than melt into the background of your tank will be a proper centrepiece. you need to find out what is suitable to your tank and water, but people on this forum would lead you to believe the only plecs in existence are BN's

Well, to be fair, I did link to the thread for plecs under 8 inches. But, not being a plec expert, I thought it unwise to suggest a fish that I haven't kept. Also, BN plecs are very easy to find compared to many of the varieties that you are referring to (at least around me they are).


BNs are very easy to deal with, are excellent at eating algae and while docile enough for the most peaceful tank, are also large enough not to be bothered by most any fish.