Pleco for 10 gallon tank

[EkizUCLA]

Just wondering if I can/should buy a pleco to clean my 10 gallon tank. It has a 4 tetra's and 5 harlequin rasbora's in it atm.

 

[Teelie]

I would say no. The smaller plecos that might go are actually not algae eaters (in fact quite a few aren't) and I suspect that's why you want one in there. Most of them get far too large to go in anything short of a 20 or 30 gallon tank. Oto's might be a better alternative. They stay small and eat algae.

 

[Arashi]

I wouldn't recommend it. Most plecos would get too big for a 10 gallon. I have three Bristlenose Plecs in one of my 10 gallons, but thats because they are very small...they will most definitely be getting a bigger tank very soon.

I would recommend Otos for a 10 gallon...small, cute, and great algae eaters. They like to be in schools though, so I would recommend getting at least three of them.

 

[SirMinion]

I agree with Teelie & Arashi, the only algae-eating plecos small enough for a 10 gallon, are otos.

 

[Teelie]

Hey, I beat him to it by a whole minute.

 

[SirMinion]

Hey, I beat him to it by a whole minute.

Edited--happy now?

...and Arashi's not a "him"

This is Arashi.

 

[Arashi]

) ) ) Did you have to post that pic again? I hate that pic... ) ) )

 

[EkizUCLA]

If I add 3 oto's into my tank with 5 harlequin's, and 4 head and tail light tetra's would that be overcrowding? Do I need to add a cave of some sort to the tank? AND.... must I feed them algae wafers or something.
THANKS

 

[willywonka099]

Well ottos would be great 3 may be okay b/c they are so small ..... inch for inch the best algey eaters ....... Yes something other than algey would be great .... alot of bottom feeders will eat what drops too the bottom .... My pleco LOVES shrimp pellets more than he likes algey

I should trade him in for some ottos b/c he will be too big in a few months but I just can't they have suck personalities He will have a good home once he grows too about 8 inches I'll have too let him go .... (2 inches now)

 

[samthefishman]

Ekiz, put a brisltenose plec in here.
They dont grow to big, and they take ages to grow.
Or you could get otos, but bnose are cooler

 

[Teelie]

Hey, I beat him to it by a whole minute.

Edited--happy now?

...and Arashi's not a "him"

This is Arashi.

Oops, my mistake. )

As to the Bristlenose, they are messy waste producers and will probably overcrowd the tank.

 

[christine]

yeah...nix the pleco....they get huge I have one in a 20 gal who's about 10 in!!!!