i would really like help

[Mo_loves_fish]

this isnt urgent but i would like it answered quickly would it be ok to put a common pleco at about 1.5 inches in my 5.5gal with my baby platies to keep the tank cleaner b/c im tired of having to siphon the extra food out 2-3 times a day. the babies are about -----that to ------- big do you think this would be ok???

please post quickly

 

[modernhamlet]

It will outgrow it in only a few weeks.

Why don't you figure out what's causing the algae problem and deal with it instead of adding more fish as a temporary fix?

 

[Tolak]

I don't know about the smaller tank. I kept a couple large plecs in a 55 with tons of platy fry, from newborn on. Plecs never bothered the fry.

I keep adult bristlenose plecs in a 20 with 3 week old angel fry, no problems there either.

Tolak

 

[Mo_loves_fish]

hmm
ok
Since a plec is prety shy i think ill put it in. Btw moderhamlet you should read my whole post before just puting something down. B/c there is no algae problem. I just want to put the baby plec in ther temp. to finish off the left over food the fry cant eat so i dont have to siphon it out 2-3 times every day. I just want a temp, fix because soo enough the fry will be ready for the big tank

 

[SirMinion]

Bad idea. That tank is too small even for a tiny pleco with the amount of waste they produce and it will outgrow the tank very quickly.

You'd do better to reduce the light period of the tank to eight hours a day and get an algae scraper.

If you insist on trying to control the algae with an algae eater, then a trio of otocinclus catfish would be a much better choice (but the tank is still only barely big enough)

 

[fish_keeper2]

sorry to say this to a mod but he has NO algea problem. mo_loves_fish: try reduce the amount of food you give them and feeding more often. i give mine a tiny pinch 4 times a day and they are doing fine.

 

[tishygirl]

I tend to agree with fishkeeper...

I was having trouble when I first had fry 'cause my pinch of food was a bit much... now i give them barely a few sprinkles, they are still growing nicely and the tank is staying much cleaner.

 

[modernhamlet]

Sorry about the algae misread, everyone.

For cleaning up extra food.. well, you could feed less.

Another good option might be to get a couple of ghost or other fry safe detritus eating shrimp.

 

[Tolak]

A small cory would work well. I break the corys in a group rule with newly swimming angels fry. 1 panda in a 10 gallon with a batch of fry does fine for 2 or 3 weeks. I figure the temporary loneliness is offset by getting to eat any fresh bbs that hit the bottom.

Tolak

 

[Synirr]

Ghost shrimp are your best bet unless you just want to go the easiest and cheapest route and feed less. Do like betta breeders do and feed small portions multiple times a day... that way everyone gets fed, but all food is finished up before it has a chance to accumulate at the bottom

 

[IMCL85]

5.5 gal is way too small for any pleco even oto cat will out grow that tank. Probably wait till u get a bigger one before getting any pleco.

 

[emma12321]

How about adding an apple snail, if you only put in one it should clear up the excess food and just one shouldn't add too much with it's own waste.

Emma

 

[Mickslack]

How about adding an apple snail, if you only put in one it should clear up the excess food and just one shouldn't add too much with it's own waste.

Emma

[snapback]898997[/snapback]​

try bristle nose plecs or loaches they will cleanup anything and look better than snails, which multiply by the thousand and eat ur plants (guess you can see i have apast neightmare with snails)!

 

[Barracuda518]

How about adding an apple snail, if you only put in one it should clear up the excess food and just one shouldn't add too much with it's own waste.

Emma

[snapback]898997[/snapback]​

try bristle nose plecs or loaches they will cleanup anything and look better than snails, which multiply by the thousand and eat ur plants (guess you can see i have apast neightmare with snails)!

[snapback]899003[/snapback]​

very bad idea to put any loach in a 5.5 gallon tank. I think the apple snail is a good idea, as you can move it with the fry when they are ready for the big tank.

 

[Mo_loves_fish]

ok i deffently dont think any of you got the question i was asking. i already have a baby plec in my 30 gal he is about 1.5 inches. i was wondering if her will harm the babies. i just want him as a temp fix until i put the fry in their tank i have set up. which will be in about 3 weeks.

my question is will the pleco eat/ harm the fry.

my god its hard to get a non complex answer. lol