Trpimp147

what is the best pleco's that will go with african cichlids. i am trying to figure this out due to cichlids aggresstion

vin

How big is your tank? That would help to determine what species of Pleco you'd be able to fit. Plecos would get a long with nearly anything...But as I said your tank size will matter.

COBettaCouple

You can browse plecos here: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...de=l&thumbs=16.. lots of them aren't algae eaters and many are hard to find and/or expensive. I'm not sure how well otos would do with cichlids, but they are good at algae control and peaceful, timid even.

Trpimp147

75 g tank.

armadillo

Wow, that's a big'n.

COBettaCouple

yea, you could fit in almost any type of pleco in there and he would be happy. maybe browse the catalog and find one you like visually (and one that eats algae well if you want one for algae control).

Trpimp147

i kno the tank is big enought thats not my problem. african cichlids are vary vary agressive.. what ones tank run and take care of them selfs with out being killed easy the pleco can grow out of the tank ill just replace it. haha ill just build a larger fish pond.

vin

Plecos and african cichlids shouldn't be a problem....http://www.liveaquaria.com/general/f...lity_chart.cfm

Trpimp147

i see the thing is i already lost three the problem was i think its only a 10g tank and 4 cichlids... and not enough hiding. now that im upgrading to a 75g tank ill have about the same hiding for now. i am working on more hiding and more fish i have 3 large lava rocks and one plant also a 14 inch peice of drift wood. i am going to get a 37 inch peice of drift wood in there but right now my pH level is vary low due to the other peice of drift wood sucking up the ph level making it low. since this is going on i am going to get some lime stone to raise ph level. since cichlids are vary aggressive is there any way i can find a special thing for the plecos to hide in or any thing of that sort?

armadillo

Plecos love tubes and tunnels. Get one that is just bigger than their adult size, and they'll love you for it. Also, the ciclids wont' be able to get there. Especially if you place a plant leaf in front of the entrance.

Trpimp147

i have a clear tube so that would work just put like plants on each side of it to cover it mostly but my whole question was what is the best pleco to use with cichlids not if i can use them with cichlids?

armadillo

Am sure that would work. And even if the cichlids see them a bit, they can't get at them! My plecos tend to hide during the day, and forage at night. If your cichlids are day fish, they may actually leave them alone. Don't know the first thing about cichlids, though, so better wait for the experts who've experienced that mix.

Trpimp147

i see yea they are day fish at night the sleep, so i am think it should be good

armadillo

Well I would wait for the experts to confirm, but it is a thought.

vin

Did you look at the chart I linked? Plecos and Cichlids will do fine together....I've read it in more than one place. I just gave the chart for easy reference. They just need someplace to hide.....As they would in any aquarium. I really think your problem before was the size of their tank and the lack of hiding places.

Trpimp147

thats what i thought about the tank size and hiding, but just looking for many opinions. ya know? just seeing if any one else had input on it. thanks for the help.

vin

Sorry if I came of snotty - typed in a hurry......

Trpimp147

nah your fine.

Trpimp147

i bought my self two 6 inch plecos last night they were happy with there 75g tank i kno they will grow too big to fast. now that means i need more rocks and hiding for them and my cichlids to stunt there growth.

armadillo

We've had a whole discussion about pleco growth stunting: http://www.fishlore.com/Forum/70-ple...immoral.0.html. Apparently, not a good idea.

Trpimp147

ya i read that haha. im not trying to stop them from growing just slow it down a little but i dont think it will work because its a 75g tank ya kno. i cant wait till i can add my other fish in to my tank

armadillo

Wow, am sure 75G is more than good enough for a pleco! I think I was told 50G minimum for a pleco. You're so lucky! I wish I had the room for a 75G.

Yeah, I know what you mean about adding fish. It's so rare when we get to do that!

Trpimp147

yup i kno. there is a store aroudn here called "that fish place" the tanks are so cheap 75g going for $125 each and like a 265g for $595 or somthing like that its really sweet.

armadillo

Stop, you're making me heave with envy! I forked out 200 euros 2 months ago (380 dollars or something?) on a 150L that I still don't have! Grrrr!

Trpimp147

im sorry to hear that. good luck with the 150L (not sure how many gallons it is but good luck)

armadillo

It's 39G. Thanks. It's alright. Worse things happened at sea. It's just been very frustating.

Buuuut, it's supposed to be delivered today! Am not holding my breath though...

Trpimp147

i see, hope you get it soon. once you get that one you should order a 125g and set it up with some larger fish!

armadillo

I just got it! Yeah! Well, I just don't have the room for a larger one. I'll see how I go with this one!

Trpimp147

congrads on the new tank. when you get a bigger tank you should get african cichlids vary beautiful fish just need alot of hiding haha they are sweet

armadillo

You're kidding? One step at a time, one step at a time. Easy does it. I already went from 0 to 5 tanks in 2 months. Let me catch my breath here!