Pond Cleaner: Pleco?

FishFreak95

Would a large pleco do fine in a pond with about 30 mosquito fish, 4 Goldfish, 2 unidentified snails, and 2 turtles? It would surely get enough food.
If it wouldnt work out with a pleco, what other kinds of fish could I use to help clean the pond?

aunt kymmie

I wanted to put a pleco in my pond but was told it'll get too cold here in the winter for him unless I heated the pond. I was told it could cost $300 a month to heat the pond. Not sure I believe that. Anyone with experience housing a pleco in a pond?? I live in Southern Cal and thought no heater, no problem.

onefish2fish

yea i was going to say to cold as well but your info says your from new mexico. you may be ok doing it but i do not have experience with putting a pleco in a pond.
you may just have to stick to the good 'ol pond maintance trick.


besides i dont think the pleco would do much noticable cleaning anyways. your Goldfish will prob. eat more algae then him.

iamntbatman

I believe New Mexico winter nights will be far too cold for him. I'd only house a pleco in an outdoor pond in the tropics.

How big is the pond? If it's really, really big you might be able to put a channel cat in there, but that's not so much a cleaner as it would be a mosquito fish eater.

FishFreak95

It gets pretty cold in the winter. I could keep him inside during winter.

bhone20

I agree with batman 100%. But also, you could try some trapdoor snails.I have about 20 in my outdoor trough.I live in Devore,CA. Witch is 5 miles north of San Bernardino, or 50 miles southeast from Los Angeles. It gets about 35 degrees here at night in the winter, and the snails are FAT AND HAPPY!!!. they are unharmed by the cold. I was almost sertain that they would perish with the temp at night. But they surprised me by not only surviving, but reproducing little bitty snails all over the trough.In this 35 degree weather, the water temp is around 39-44 degrees without a heater.

To use these snails, you need 5-8 snails per square foot i think.If someone sees this and can correct me,please do.. :)


just an idea

FishFreak95

Then I would probably need 70 to75 snails and i think that is way to many snails. And my mom hates snails. Ive checked the temperature and at 5:00 PM its between 60 and 65'F. I will check the night, morning, and noon temps.
The pond gets no sun for 2:00 PM and +.

FishFreak95

It 7:40 PM And it is about 60'F

FishFreak95

8:40 its about 57 - 59'F

iamntbatman

Yeah...that's wayyyyyyy too cold for a pleco.