Amazing Pleco

So I resisted using plecos for algae control for all of my fish keeping career because bristlenose weren't as common and I was concerned about tank busters as well as not actually eating algae.

My gf has a little 4 gallon betta tank that she let get pretty algae-fied. Her frogbit roots were also amazing but that's beside the point. She put in an albino bristlenose in 2 weeks ago and I'm flat out amazed. There's not a single spec of algae left. Her water quality looks better than mine! And her pleco is adorable.

I think I may have misjudged these little guys.

 

oh yes! Bristlenose plecostimus are very good workers! I had one a while back and it as always on top of my algae problems. Only downside is if you have any sword plants or other similar plants, the plecos may eat them up. Also, you could also try other fish like otocinclus and siamese algae eaters (do research before buying them though) which in my experience do well at cleaning up algae problem as well. Even on plants.

 

Unfornatly all those will out grow a 4 gallon tank as will the bristlenose.

 

If you plan on keeping the bn pleco please look into getting a 20 gallon tank or larger. They get too large and produce too much waste for a 4 gallon to handle, otherwise he will most likely die premature.

They are good cleaners though

 

What’s the deal with Otocinclus? I really like them but was told they shouldn’t be kept with Cichlids. I’m thinking of a batch for a Severum, Acara tank. Any thoughts please?