Pleco Cichlids

[Soaup]

I am thinking about adding a pleco, possibly a sailfin to my 55 cichlid tank. Does anyone know the drawbacks, i know plecos arent very territorial but putting him in the tank is there a possibility the cichlids kill him? If anyone has any experience or stories please share. Thanks

 

[smithrc]

sounds like an ideal opertunity to rehome a larger plec

A new small plec is likely to get picked on

If you go to your lfs they are bound to have 8"+ ones that have been returned - one this size will not get picked on

 

[Soaup]

Thanks, You seem to know your plecos, Any recomendations? Any pleco that fit better or just look better. Whats your personal favorite etc.. Thanks again

 

[Ferris]

I have a sailfin in my 55 gal Mbuna tank and no-one messes with him. He's about 8" at the mo. The only concern would be they grow up to 18" and a 55gal isn't really big enough for that size fish.

I am planning to get a 125 gal in the near future and will move him over then. If you get a medium sized one, it would be fine in a 55 gal for a couple of years at least though.

Another option would be Bristlenose Plecs, they are smaller but if you get them near enough full grown, they should be fine with Mbuna and you could have 2 or 3 in a 55 gal.

 

[Soaup]

If i stick to a sailfin get him at around 8 inchs or so, would you think one would be the limit for a 55 gallon tank? I like them better then the bristle nose but the idea of having more sounds more enticing.

 

[smithrc]

Is it a recruitmet drive? (eg you have a job for him eating algae)

If it is I'd go for a common plec - they usually get to about 12" and would be on in a 55gal.

sailfins get bigger and as said above, a 55 is a bit small really (yep i called a 55 small )

If the plec is just to look at and add some colour then the following are ideas to look at...

Para Plec - L075 - gets to 8-10"
Snowball - L142 - about the same
Leopard Cactus -L114 again about the same...

there are lots more - BUT the problem will be back to the size it is when you get it - any large examples of the above will cost a lot and be quite rare...

 

[Soaup]

Ok thanks, i mean i have the clearest water. But a few rocks have been in need of a scrubbing and everytime i try to take the algea cleaner to it it always rips up my pads. So if a pleco can do this and possibly enjoy his job unlike me then im all for it, in which case i might just stick to the common pleco. Boring bastards jk. Once he gets his job done hopefully he can just clean up the hear and theres.. Thanks a lot..

 

[GirlinWayside]

I have always had plecos with my chichlids - just make sure you get one that is a good size or an equal size to your fish.