Psychlist1972

Presumably this is normal behavior, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't because they were scared in the tank or something.

I see lots of pics of plecos stuck to the sides of the tank. However, mine only do that when I'm poking around near them with a gravel vac.

Since moving to the new 55g, with lots of driftwood to hide in, I never see them, even when tank lights are off and room light is on. Normal?

The downside to that, besides never seeing them, is I don't know if they are feeding well. There's no algae to speak of in the tank, and the goldies tend to eat anything dropped in there, even after hours and when the room is mostly dark.

I'm going to get some lunar leds for this tank, since the room they are in is windowless and gets too dark to see in. I'm thinking I may see them poking around at night a bit once I do that, and hopefully can verify they are eating.

Pete

Tony G.

Pete, i suggest you remove the pleco from your goldfish tank. Here's what can happen:
http://www.goldfishconnection.com/ar...153&parentId=1

As far as the behaior, its normal
they are nocturnal as far as i know lol

Psychlist1972

Hi Tony

That's a new one on me. I've heard of that with CAE, but not plecos. Good to know, though, and good to watch out for.

My GFs are two fast-moving commons and one fast comet, so I don't think they're in as much danger as the pictured fancy.

This is really the only tank they can go in. From talking with others on the forums here, they recommended I keep them and the goldfish together (they've been together for a year) in the larger tank, and consider that my "high maintenance" tank. The temperature is kept at a happy medium for both species.

Truthfully, had I know how large plecos get when the store sold them to me a year ago as a way to clean my 10g goldfish tank (and later 20g and now 55g) I would never have gotten them. Now that I have them, though..

Pete

Tony G.

i have a CAE and as long as i vary his diet he wont pick on my fish. Actually.. he gets picked on by his only tank mate haha who is 1/4 his size lol

Borisbbadd

Unfortunately that happens all too often.

Years ago when I had my first tank ( 20 g ) I had a common pleco. I didn't know any better, and the people at the store told me it would be a good fish for my tank. He got huge !!!
I was able to give him away to a friend with a much bigger tank, so he got a good home.

gremlin

Suckerfish that eat the slime coat off their tank mates (as far as I'm concerned) only happens when the suckerfish does not have sufficient food or variety in their diet. I have had plecos and cae's both with my goldfish for several years with absolutely no problems whatsoever. the important thing is to remember that they need a varied diet and lots of it, as well as multiple hidey holes.

I never see my two plecos either. Even at night. They have lots of places to hide and they blend in with the color of the pond. Every once in a while I will see the tail of one of the plecos sticking out from under one of the rocks. Other than that, I seldom see them.

whisper

I'm with Gremlin. I don't believe a Pleco will do that unless they are not getting enough to eat. We have had large plecos in our outdoor pond with Koi and Goldfish and have never had that happen. Also have them in my tanks and still have never seen it. Hate to have plecos get a bad name. Anyway, to your hiding one. I have mine in a tank with no substrate and only one piece of driftwood and a few plants in pots. He really has no place to hide and it seems he has gotten used to people walking around and movement. He is all over the place and even comes up to the top for food when I feed the fish.

Shawnie

Hi pete..although that is very common with some plecs to always hide, making sure they are eating is a must as you know although I do agree with gremlin and whisper, tanks compared to ponds cant be a good example..and where you described your goldies getting most of the food and no algae in the tank, they may not be getting enough....get some zucchini or cucumber and weigh it down to the front of the tank on the bottom....after the lights are out .....see if the plecs come out to eat that..and that should be done a few times a week if the goldies are eating any of their algae wafers....goldies will eat constantly with lights on or off lol so its hard to feed any bottom feeders with the little piglets...good luck and maybe with the veggies, you can get a pic!!!