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questions about my pleco

2K views 19 replies 6 participants last post by  molliefan09 
#1 ·
i have what i suspect to be a common pleco. I know he will eventually out grow my current aquairum. a this time he only about 3-4 inches. I feel bad for him but im not sure if i should try to rehome him now or wait till he gets bigger....my next question is what sort of similar fish could i get that wont out grow my tank. Ive heard a lot of people talking about ottos but it kinda scares me knowing that their main food source is the algea on my tank itself. from what i can actually see there isnt much if any at all. :cry:
 
#2 ·
Ottos can thrive in an aquarium that has little visible algae. Ottos easily learn to feed from algae wafers and certain veggies. I have 4 in my planted tank with very little visible algae and they are doing fine. They are constant grazers though.

There are smaller plecos out there that would work in most tanks. Bristlenose plecos are very attractive and usually stay between 3" and 4"
 
#3 ·
I don't agree that otocinclus can ,or do,easily adapt to other foods in the absence of algae. Some will some won't.
Do agree that bristlenose would be better option for 20 gal .
 
#6 ·
yeah, like i said ive heard that unless you have sufficient algea in the aquarium they are not recommended...i just wasnt sure because i can see it i wasnt sure if it was there or not....i dont want to put any fish in a postion to not succeed
 
#7 ·
i did some research on the bristle nose pleco and it says to suppliment with veggies.....i have snail jello that twistersmom gave me the recipe for. its made with sweetpotato baby food...is this something that could be given to the bristlenose?? By the way thanks twistermom my snail LOVES it!!
 
#8 ·
It is always good to supplement... eventually you may not be generating enough algae for your tanks to maintain a school of otos or for other types that feed primarily on algae.

Others are correct... my statement that otos easily take algae wafers and veggies should have read they can take algae wafers and in my experience it is easy to get them to accept veggies. Some otos will never touch algae wafers (though I have been lucky). In my experience it is pretty easy to get them to take veggies.
 
#10 ·
Otos need established tanks... absolutely. They are pretty sensitive to the water conditions around them. I love bristlenose plecos :) They also come in longfin and albino varieties.
 
#12 ·
so i gave my LFS my common pleco and dragon goby. Im sad to see them go but the pleco would outgrow my tank and the dragon goby just doesnt seem happy. I did get a bristlenose and he is the cutest little guy ever...ill post some pics when he gets settled....now i do have afew questions...ive read they like fresh veggies like cucumbers, zuccini and so forth....do i just cut them into slices and place them in the tank??? i also got some drigtwood out of one of their tanks...
 
#13 ·
Glad to hear your snail is enjoying the jello!
Yep, slice the cucumber or zucchini up. You can buy a veggie clip to hold it down or use a fork.
I blanch my zucchini. You can boil some water on the stove or microwave and let the zucchini sit in the hot water for a minute or two. I make up a bunch of it at one time and freeze it for latter use.
 
#14 ·
thanks for the advice....now when my fish dont eat all their food within a few minutes i usually take it out....does this apply to the veggis too?? how long should i leave it in there if the bristlenose does seem interested right away??
 
#20 ·
poop i can handle i just dont want any dead kids!!! I will give the spinich a try auntkymmie.....everyone in the tank is currently enjoying the cucumber....that is except for the pleco hes hanging out in the driftwood. Now i read that they need driftwood in their diet...do they actually dine on the driftwood??
 
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