liz2727

What kind of plecos can I put in a tank with cichlids? I had one that was bigger than my cichlids, but my red zebra killed it. I have a jewel cichlid, a red zebra, and a blue acara, they are all about 3-4 inches. The cichlids all get along good. Will I be able to keep a pleco with these fish? Thanks in advance.

sirdarksol

How big of a tank is it? Unless it's 80g+, you're limited to the plecos that stay small.
Also, I'm guessing the cichlids you've listed are African. Plecos tend to like more acidic water, I believe, whereas many African cichlids need to live in mineral-rich water. This doesn't necessarily preclude keeping plecos, but it is something to be aware of.

Allie

Synodontis catfish species can be kept with african cichlids b/c they are found with them.
Here's a link
http://planetcatfish.com/catelog/gen...enus_id=29#103

sirdarksol

Cool looking fish, Allie. I'll have to remember those if I set up a cichlid tank.

Allie

This one of the actual species found in Lake Malawi
http://planetcatfish.com/catelog/spe...species_id=239

Angela_96

I know plecos like more acidic water, however I am keeping a sailfin pleco w/ my mbunas and a common pleco w/ my peacocks both are very healthy and doing fine.
I wouldn't go for the small sized when you buy them, and I wouldn't go for the ones that will outgrow your tank either (the sailfin pleco will be housed in a much bigger tank at the end of this summer we are getting a 90-100g tank).
The first pleco we put in w/ the mbunas was lunch, it was way to small. so we learned size matters. They don't bother the ones we have now.

I say use plecos in a african cichlid tank w/ caution. (I def wouldn't go out and buy a zebra pleco, or a rarity to go in the tank either)

Now the ones that come from lake malawi, I def recommend they are from the same water conditions, and same lake.

Allie

We made the mistake of putting all of our fancy plecos in with our first african tank. The fish were terrified & as a newbie I didn't realize it. They didn't have a good growth rate.

Angela_96

Our sailfin is really thriving in the tank (if he wasn't I was going to give him to my mom for her angel tank I also think it has to do w/ his size when we bought him) he actually, as soon as the main lights go off and the moon lights come on goes to the front of the tank and hangs out, hes not scared of the cichlids and is growing wonderfully. I see more of him than any of the other plecos that we have had
The common pleco grew from about 3 inches to 7 in since I thin jan? He thrived really well w/ the africans...

I do know what you are talking about! there is one pleco in w/ my rubenesns going to moms house Sat. for that very reason. He'll get along well w/ the angels.

Thats why I say use plecos w/ africans w/ caution. They are horrid to plecos. I saw my mother have 3 dif plecos get slaughterd not knowing what she was doing when she kept african cichlids. Finally when she got a bigger common pleco, he thrived.

Allie

We just gave away our common...he was getting too aggressive with our Africans. He'd chase them around during feeding time. Piggy wanted all the flakes for himself. lol

Angela_96

Now as big as the sailfin is, (we named him mongo) I could see him stealing food! Especially now since they have veggies in the tank over night the zucchini disapeared (btw the cichlid fav is romaine lettuce a med size leaf is gone in a day the red zebras and kenyi pig out on it, its helped their digestion so much).