Flour Tailed Baker

Hello,

I am getting ready to set up my first aquarium. I have been doing a lot of research before I get my hands wet. I decided I want to have a pleco in my tank and in the description of all of them, it said that they do best in planted aquariums. I won't be doing a planted aquarium at this time. Maybe in a few months after my tank gets rolling, but not now. Does this mean that any pleco I get wouldn't do well in my tanK?

Thanks for all the help!!

This forum rawks

Butterfly

The reason planted tanks are recommended is for hiding places. As long as there are plenty of hiding/sleeping places and caves then plecs will be fine. Most of them need a piece of driftwood to rasp on also.
carol

mathas

As Carol alluded to with her "most plecos need driftwood" comment, different species have different needs. If you know what kind of pleco you're getting, tell us and we can provide further information.

If you're just buying a common pleco from a random pet store, be advised that they can get to be extremely large, and will outgrow a lot of tanks.

clinton1621

Definitely agree with the size issue, make sure you research and get one of the plecos that stay around 3 to 4 inches unless you plan on getting a much bigger tank eventually.... also the larger ones tend to be more aggressive. I also agree with Carol on the driftwood, plecos actually eat the wood as it disentegrates too so I would definitely get some real driftwood (even a small piece would work) and give plenty of hiding places out of the light, they like dark areas or they get stressed

Flour Tailed Baker

Thanks guys!! I was thinking of getting a Candy Strip Pleco (L-137).

Butterfly

Yep that one is really cool, it has blue eyes and red fins. It also gets over 11 inches. Thats a big boy You need a 55g and preferably a 75g for this one.
Carol

Flour Tailed Baker

Candy Stripe Pleco (L-137)
(Peckoltia platyrhyncha)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 74-79° F, pH 6.5-7.4, KH 6-10
Color Form: Black, Tan
Diet: omnivore
Origin: South America
Family: Loricariidae

This was the info that got me interested in them on Liveaquaria.com.....
They get that much bigger huh.....

Is there any pleco that will do well in a 30 gal. tank?

Butterfly

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...?species_id=43
This is a much more reliable source on Plecos
These are suitable sizes for a 30g tank.
L260 Queen Arebesque(3.5 inches), L333 (5.9 inches), L250 (3.5 inches and rare but really cool) or you can go with one of the different bristlenose species.
Carol

Flour Tailed Baker

Thank you Very Kindly!! This will definitely help me finish up my stocking list. I'll post it later, see what you guys think.