Plecos, what's your choice

Here's a handy site...
http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic165549-42-1.aspx

My personal favs of the smaller ones are the Zebra, & the Gold Nugget

False zebra is a good substitute if you don't feel like paying $150-$250 for a true zebra. We had a couple at the shop that were pretty neat looking.

temp is something that needs to be thought about some like warm some like medium temps

My temp is 80

Might also look to diet of the particular Pleco considered.
Some are mostly herbivores,some omnivores,and some carnivores.
Maybe see that the fish get's more than just algae to eat =more food/waste to consider in the tank.

I've had plecos before, always fed a variety as with my fish. But what I'm looking for is one that stays small and is plant friendly. Rare uncommon and pretty.

L183 starlight pleco

I keep a lot of species tanks of plecos, but to me the best algae cleaner is the farlowellas. Will keep the tank clean and plants aren't harmed by them. But still need to be fed other foods like algae tabs and some veggies.

Green phantoms are one of my favorite plecos. You would have plenty of room.

I second the green phantoms, my LFS has some and they look very cool. You can see every detail of their body, all of the littls scales and fins, they're super interesting to look at.

roadmaster said:

Might also look to diet of the particular Pleco considered.
Some are mostly herbivores,some omnivores,and some carnivores.
Maybe see that the fish get's more than just algae to eat =more food/waste to consider in the tank.

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Agree here, as I looked into rare plecos after spotting a rare one at my lfs (that was bought up quickly) I learned several small species do not eat algae their entire lives, or only certain types.. some never at all. You can never do too much research, read up everything possible on your candidates.

That said my fav is of course one of the expensive ones (but I don't think it was a good algae eater compared to other breeds?) the true 'zebra pleco' (not the Colombian zebra). The last time I checked it was still in the 3 digit $ for one of them.

roadmaster said:

Might also look to diet of the particular Pleco considered.
Some are mostly herbivores,some omnivores,and some carnivores.
Maybe see that the fish get's more than just algae to eat =more food/waste to consider in the tank.

Click to expand...

stratg5 said:

I second the green phantoms, my LFS has some and they look very cool. You can see every detail of their body, all of the littls scales and fins, they're super interesting to look at.

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Plecos don't have scales, they have hide (skin) they can be very rough and sometimes spiky hides.

Interesting! I thought it kind of looked like hairs, they always looked hairy to me interesting to know it's a spiky hide

stratg5 said:

Interesting! I thought it kind of looked like hairs, they always looked hairy to me interesting to know it's a spiky hide

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Ah apologies, looking up phantoms it seems many people call it 'hairs". I've not owned/seen one in person so I can't say from experiences if its hair or spikes. I have a Leoaprd Sailfin pleco, and his are spikes and rough hide (use to be able to handle him before his tank move.. after he decided to fly onto the carpet during the transfer he's not been as handle-able (think he's still grump about that)).

www.planetcatfish.com
THE site for plecos. You can search by how big you want the pleco to be. Then research and read what they eat etc..

PC is a nice site for basic info but if has a lot of incorrect descriptions as well. If ever possible, always try to talk to someone who's ever kept the specie you are interested in.

I have two L134's (Leopard Frog Pleco) and one L204 (Flash Pleco). Last month I almost picked up a L264 (Sultan Pleco) but somehow I managed to resist. :hihi:

Just a couple of my own thoughts if you're looking for this fish to be a centerpiece: Personally, I notice that the prettier/flashier and smaller they are, the more shy they are as well, unfortunately (again, just my own observation...there could be some that aren't that I'm not aware of). The bn's seem to be pretty active and don't care to hide, but the others...they don't like the light too much. I don't see my L134's anywhere near as much as my L204, and even that one can be a little shy sometimes, although he does come out enough.

My choice: Blue Eyed Pleco, but too large for a 55g