Fruju Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 On other forums people seem to think that mixing plecos with bichirs is a bad thing because the plecos sometimes try to suck the slime coat off the bichirs. Has anyone here had that issue? Or does it depend on the type of pleco? Getting a vegeboy rather than a carnivorous plec? I have a slight algae development in the tank and I thought that a small pleco would be appropriate seeing as my flagtail is absolutely useless at eating it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 8, 2011 Report Share Posted September 8, 2011 They also say they same thing about flagtails... Can but try I reckon, I never had a problem with my royal or clown and my bichirs, and look at Henwards tank. I think its more of an unusual occurrence than a common problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookie Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 i had a sailfin pleco with my bichir all good , but they crap loads i would try some good size group BN , or SAE , but there is always someone trying to give away large CAE and look good when big imo.. you must be spoiling flagtail too much ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally07 Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 I've heard/ read the same thing and I used to be worried about it, but not anymore haha. My sailfin used to suck on my ornate occassionally, but now the ornate just swims away - the sailfin doesn't chase him around for slime. I would say that if the tank has enough swimming/ hiding space, it doesn't occur often enough to be a big worry. My ornate doesn't show any signs of stress or any "scarring", so it's all good with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 Try a smaller panaque species like L204 or L002, both are nice fish and don't get huge, although if you've still got your ornate maybe you'll want something a little bigger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 9, 2011 Report Share Posted September 9, 2011 only problem i have had is with the ornates biting the plecs fin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted September 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Nah, got rid of the ornate. I like the smaller species more too; 3 dels, 3 palmas, 3 sens are in the tank atm. I like the albino plecos, henwards one looks pretty good. Are there any species that you guys have had experience with that are more proficient algae eaters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamosfish Posted September 10, 2011 Report Share Posted September 10, 2011 Bristlenose, Commons, Sailfins and Gold spots are all great algae eaters although as the Commons, Sailfins and Gold spots get bigger they become less effective, in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I had no problems keeping juvenile bichirs with fully grown bristlenoses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally07 Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I had no problems keeping juvenile bichirs with fully grown bristlenoses. Problem is, they don't stay juvenile for very long haha.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Are there any species that you guys have had experience with that are more proficient algae eaters? The two species I recommended (L002 and L204) are both wood eaters so will rasp at the wood and keep it clean, not sure about the plants or other decor though. I don't have any problems with algae in my SA tank though. My L128s rasp at the concrete background! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morcs Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Id focus on the algae problem tbh. large plecos as algae eaters can be a nuisance as they are so messy, not a good trade off imho. A full grown SAE would be good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 I have never seen this happen, i think if the plecos are well fed or flagtail is well fed (mine are certainly well fed) then i dont see this. they dont rasp to harass, they rasp to eat, (of course the flag tail can pick on things that it believes is a similar species like tinfoil barbs brrr) but generally, theydont bother them. i think that these situations occur when feeding is 'regulated' - then the fish' appetite is not satisfied, it keeps grazing perhaps. birchirs can surprisingly be quite hungry and try to eat anything that swims past it, i have seen my small ornates go for clowns that swim past them, so easy solution - feed them heaps:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted September 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 Whats the cheapest semi-fancy pleco type you suggested David? I dont like spending much on plecos, not worth it imo lol. Except for maybe a scarlet pleco... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 thats easily solved. then get a scarlet pleco:D oh ok sorry i missed the point.... :dunno: those king tigers and stuff are nice. very stripey:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted September 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Some of us aren't mr moneybags henward :smln: gotta make do with a budget suited to neon tetras lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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