To All The Pleco Naysayers Out There....

C

CaptainAquatics

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Hi! I currently have a 55 gallon and a while back (about a month or 2 months ago) it had a bit of a algae problem. So I went out and got a common pleco (yes I am aware they get big I plan to get a much bigger tank for him in the future). After I got him I haven’t seen one SPECK of algae, so to all of you who say that Plecos don’t help, some do. Maybe not all but most I would say do. Because I’m other tanks where I had problems I got bristle nose Plecos, and clown Plecos and I don’t see any algae in those tanks anymore. So I don’t want to hear that they don’t help. Please leave our ideas in the comments, thanks
 

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Full grown common Plecos are awsome looking big fish. I don't really believe labeling specific keepers that choose not to keep them "Pleco Haters". It's just a "Pro" vrs. "Con" issue.
Pros: Nice looking, interesting fish, Good scavenger and algae
eater. Cons: Grows fast & big, Produces a lot of waste, which requires increased attention to water management.
I don't agree with the constant torching keepers receive who maintain CP's, but it's important that newbies become aware of what's in store for them if they buy one.
 

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I don't think anyone *hates* plecos...
But they just look really creepy.....

Big commons do look really awesome, really prehistoric, and overall are a cool fish. There is a significant problem with them becoming an invasive species in Florida, and that so many are kept in 1gal bowls as "algae eaters" for whatever other poor creature is stuck in there.
 
I find that plecos are great little algae eaters when they are babies. Once they grow up, they are like the 30 year old son living in the basement. If that is the choice I would rather get a small pleco type. I also think they are great fish. Nothing wrong with them. I just get the small types because I do not want to go through the heartbreak of trying to rehome a fish no one wants. I honestly think that fish shops that do not cater to "monster fish tank" people should not sell the huge type. I am pretty sure many of them die a sad death at the hands of people who do not know what they are doing. That is not hate. I like tigers too, but I do not think everyone should own one.
 
Yea I don't think anyone hates plecos at all. They hate husbandry issues. And specifically with commons. Including the classics (none of which are necessarily your situation): using plecos instead of addressing high nitrates and phosphates, getting plecos without expecting to feed them and without researching their habits like growing up to suck the slime coat off large fish if they're underfed, getting a pleco so they "can do less cleaning" instead of trading in wall scrubbing for more water changes with the higher bioload, overstocked & under maintained bio loads, broken promises of tank upgrades, store clerks selling commons without giving care and size info, buying plecos as an expendable algae tool until they get too big and are no longer useful. Maybe even using plecos in poor conditions like horse troughs(that's real) and letting them freeze to death in the winter to be repurchased in the spring. Those kinds of things are the heat, not the pleco. Enjoy the fish if it's what you desired.
 

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HI everyone! I would like to clarify I know people just want to warn newbies but SOME people talk trash about them. VeiltailKing I let my Plecos graze on the algae but I also feed them Hilary Gold Carnivore Pellets meant for red tails and other big catfish. They love it and go crazy and it seems they like it. Kalyke I agree that petshops like petco and Petsmart should not Cary the massive ones like Common and sell them to newbies. I think however that people just seem to hate the common pleco just because they get big. Rtessy I agree that they are invasive but that is people’s fault for realest get them. It is not there fault. A201 I agree with the pros and cons idea. I also agree with the idea that people who constantly Scortch CP keepers is wrong. Thanks all for your input.

Carbeo I’m sorry I missed you. I agree with what you said that plecos (especially commons) are abused way to much by amueture fish keepers.
 
Plecos need vegetables. I know for my pleco that it is 80% of his diet. I feed him zucchinI or cucumber every night and he hardly even bothers with algae because I don’t have any. My tank is balanced to the point where algae is not a problem. Plecos are not algae eaters.
 
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image.jpg VeiltailKing I agree to some extent. I belive that plecos do need plants but I think (at least the common variety) needs good protein. That is why they often try to take the slime coat of other fish. They need the protein. Here is a photo of my pleco, he is still small keep in mind. He lives with Oscars. Also he took care of the algae problem in my tank by himself so I think they are good algae eaters. He also has a bristle nose pleco friend who just couldn’t handle all the algae himself which is why I got the common.

275A2A3B-F3A3-45A8-8A93-12DBC277944B.jpeg 48BB7742-12D8-4DEC-BAF6-92862BAC9269.jpeg He is a photo of the whole tank, I even labeled it. Also keep in mind I will be moving ALL these fish to a bigger tank ASAP. They also get 3 water changes a week.
 
That tank is seriously overstocked (55 gallon?) Even with a bigger tank I wouldn’t keep a flower horn with Oscars or a blood parrot.

Also, when Plecos aren’t fed enough or aren’t fed the right stuff they will have to rely on algae. My pleco is nice and fat, so he doesn’t even touch what little algae I may have in the tank. Adding some zucchinI in your tank for the pleco won’t hurt anything.
 
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VeiltailKing I give a mix of food to the pleco and when I got him from the pet store he was skinny so he wanted all the food he could get. Also I am upgrading soon to a much bigger tank. Also there isn’t much fighting in this tank m, they are all happy and healthy. I do water changes 3 times a week and have a good filter.

I make sure to keep pristine water conditions for my fish and if there was a fighting or stress issue oh better belive I would fix it immediately.
 

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VeiltailKing
Yes. His tank is overstocked. But as he said, he will be upgrading very soon. And since there is no aggression going on and the water quality is perfect (3 w/cs per wk) there is no problem.

His pleco has a great diet. CP are more carnivorous than vegetarian. BN pleco are more vegetarian. You are wrong. Plecos do not only eat algae when they are not fed well. I feed my BN cucumber and zuchinI every other day. That tank is right in front of my window and has ZERO algae. He eats algae even when the diet is perfect. Algae is delicious for him. Algae is their main diet in the wild since it is the most common form of plant matter. They also grind off decaying wood off of driftwood, as well as eat dead fish.
Some ppl on fishlore just like to critisize. smh

DaloAquatics
I agree with you. I'm glad your common pleco does such a great job for you and that its happy.
 
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King o´ Angelfish thank you for your support. A few weeks ago I was very sick (fevers of 101.2) stuff like that and STILL did water changes and fed my fish. I am 100% dedicated to my fish and when I went away for a week I wrote a 5 page paper on how to care for my fish to my fish sitter. I will never let my fish down. I also agree that CP’s need meat in there diet and they need some veggies. Thank you
 
VeiltailKing
Yes. His tank is overstocked. But as he said, he will be upgrading very soon. And since there is no aggression going on and the water quality is perfect (3 w/cs per wk) there is no problem.

His pleco has a great diet. CP are more carnivorous than vegetarian. BN pleco are more vegetarian. You are wrong. Plecos do not only eat algae when they are not fed well. I feed my BN cucumber and zuchinI every other day. That tank is right in front of my window and has ZERO algae. He eats algae even when the diet is perfect. Algae is delicious for him. Algae is their main diet in the wild since it is the most common form of plant matter. They also grind off decaying wood off of driftwood, as well as eat dead fish.
Some ppl on fishlore just like to critisize. smh
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I’m not criticizing, thank you very much. I’m simply pointing out the obvious. He never said what tank size he will be upgrading to, and in my opinion he would need a couple hundred gallons to house those fish full grown. 2 oscars alone would need at least 200 gallons. None of those fish look full grown either. Especially the extremely aggressive flowerhorn.

I never said plecos ONLY eat algae when they are not fed well, but that is usually the case. Some people on fishlore just need to do their research.
 
VeiltailKing
200g for 2 oscars? Heck no! Of course it wouldnt hurt to have more space but they can do perfect in less. The dimensions of a 100 gallon are good for 2 oscars. But since he has more than 2 oscar fish, I would recommend more. Ideally, anywhere from 125 to 150 gallon will suffice as long as he does not increase his current stock. The CP will get to be 2 ft so he would def need more room. But the oscars grow up to 12in.
There is a similar thread about this:
2 oscars minimum tank size

I would recommend a 150 gallon at best depending on the OPs budget.
 
I love my common pleco, its currently around 7" long (to the very tip of its tail) and housed with small koi and goldfish in a 75 gallon tank. Eventually he will be going into my outdoor koi pond when he gets too big for the 75. I dose flourish in the tank just too keep algae growing so he has more to munch on!
 
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Hi! I don’t want to start a big controversy here on FishLore. I plan to upgrade to a 125 but if I find a good deal I will do 150. I do NOT plan to add any more fish, I didn’t even plan to have the flowerhorn but the flowerhorn is female, so it isn’t quite as aggressive. The flowerhorn was a impulse buy and if he gets to aggressive I will remove him and either return him or get him his own tank IF there is a problem. VeiltailKing I do my research. No joke I have a 75 page document on my fish. Thank you and let me know what you think.

Also King o´ Angelfish I agree 2 Oscars only need like 100 gallons, but I am doing 125-150 because of the other fish. If the pleco outgrows a 125-150 I will get him a bigger tank/home. I have even been toying around with the idea of a small pond after my 125-150.
 
My last one went on strike and wouldn't eat algea. I think I spoiled him. Lol
 
2 oscars alone would need at least 200 gallons.
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I would like your source, please. Obviously, each fish should get a 2000 gallon tank for itself, but I think this gallon per inch thing is getting a little inflated. Is it now 10 gallons per fish-inch?
 
This thread was literally made to “start a controversy”...’to the pleco haters”.
 

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Minimum tank size for one Oscar should be 100 gallons. And that’s absolute minimum. With two Oscars, a blood parrot, a flowerhorn, and a common pleco you will need a couple hundred gallons.

I agree with bryangar here.

I would like your source, please. Obviously, each fish should get a 2000 gallon tank for itself, but I think this gallon per inch thing is getting a little inflated. Is it now 10 gallons per fish-inch?
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It’s better than them saying a 100 gallon can hold two Oscars...
 
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King o´ Angelfish could you please help me convince these people I am a good fish keeper. I am a good fish keeper all. If there were any problems with my fish I would walk through fire to save them. I would never abuse, hurt, or porposely injury any fish. I may not be perfect but none of us are and I am trying my best to make sure these fish have a good life. If you don’t think I am good that is your opinion and I don’t care, I belive I keep my fish well and won’t let you guys tell me different. Thank you and please stop saying I’m doing a bad job.
 
At least its still a little civil. Barely. Passonate people have passionate discussions don't take it personal.
 
King o´ Angelfish could you please help me convince these people I am a good fish keeper. I am a good fish keeper all. If there were any problems with my fish I would walk through fire to save them. I would never abuse, hurt, or porposely injury any fish. I may not be perfect but none of us are and I am trying my best to make sure these fish have a good life. If you don’t think I am good that is your opinion and I don’t care, I belive I keep my fish well and won’t let you guys tell me different. Thank you and please stop saying I’m doing a bad job.
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I don’t know.......I don’t think anyone is saying you intentionally hurting your fish or that you aren’t taking care of them Obviously you do a lot of water changes and keep an eye on aggression but I want to point out that just because they are fine right now you may wake up some morning or come home from work and see one of those fish mangled or killed. It’s not just your over stocked it’s the fish you have in the tank. Even if you upgrade to 125 or a 150 the fish you have most likely not going to do well together. I would not keep the flowerhorn unless you will put her in another large tank. I know you say it’s female and they are less aggressive, that is not true. I have seen females to be out of control just like the males.

I don’t intend to sound mean or anything I just want all your fish to be safe and I don’t feel they are right now.

Oh and I love my pleco but he doesn’t eat algae. Lol

I hope all goes well for you and your fish
 
Nikki2577
Absolutely true.
It is highely likely the flowerhorn will get aggressive as it matures, no matter its gender. That is why I´m glad the OP is open to rehoming it or relocating it. This also goes to whichever fish that becomes TOO aggressive. Some ppl overstock to lower aggression. I prefer to understock since its just less stressful for me. (I don't like seeing my fish fight) You did not sound mean at all, your tone was very encouraging. Currently he has 6 fish I believe? 2 oscars, 1 FH, 1 BP, 1 CP, and 1 BN pleco. The CP will definitly have to be rehomed as it grows. A 150 gallon can house the rest of the fish for life as long as the aggression is moderated.

VeiltailKing
Its so funny how you like to acuse others of not doing their research when you obviously don't do yours!
You just make yourself look bad!
Here are FIVE sources (both websites dedicated to oscars) that back up my claim that 2 Oscars can live fine in a 100g:
Source 1:
Source 2: What Size Tank Does an Oscar Fish Need
Source 3: Setting Up Oscar Fish Tanks and Aquarium
Source 4:
Source 5: 2 oscars minimum tank size

Let me know if you need more......
 
Nikki2577
Absolutely true.
It is highely likely the flowerhorn will get aggressive as it matures, no matter its gender. That is why I´m glad the OP is open to rehoming it or relocating it. This also goes to whichever fish that becomes TOO aggressive. Some ppl overstock to lower aggression. I prefer to understock since its just less stressful for me. (I don't like seeing my fish fight) You did not sound mean at all, your tone was very encouraging. Currently he has 6 fish I believe? 2 oscars, 1 FH, 1 BP, 1 CP, and 1 BN pleco. The CP will definitly have to be rehomed as it grows. A 150 gallon can house the rest of the fish for life as long as the aggression is moderated.
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Yes in a 150 it could work out great with out the FH and CP.

I have 1 Flowerhorn in a 140g and he was brought up with many other fish so I decided I would try to put a Green Terror in with him........it worked but as of today I put a divider in the tank because I saw my 11” Flowerhorn chase the GT. It was sudden and if she hadn’t had a place to hide all it would take was one bite to kill her

I also have a 210g with fish that aren’t supposed to be really aggressive, get quite volatile.

It’s just that things happen so fast so why not remove the risk (Flowerhorn).

I sound very hypocritical because I had a Flowerhorn with another fish but my Flowerhorn is very passive. I knew his history and also consulted with his previous owner who rescued him about it but this just goes to show even with the best attitude fish they can turn on a dime.

I am glad I didn’t sound mean because I don’t want to be that person I am here to help as much as I can not to be mean
 
I read a few and no the articles don't say they will live like kings. Its sites as absolute minimum
 
Absolutely!
I agree myself. If it were my tank, knowing how aggressive flowerhorns are, I would have a "Flowerhorn-only" tank. As in only one FH in a tank. But its up to the OP what risks he wants to take. Space-wise he is good with a 150g, but in terms of aggression, like you said the table can flip at any moment. In any case, the OP should be prepared to rehome ANY fish that proves to be overly aggressive. Its just how the game is with aggressive species.

Lets se what the OP has to say.....

I read a few and no the articles don't say they will live like kings. Its sites as absolute minimum
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Omg!
Does it make that much of a difference to you? TBH a few even said 75 gallon for 2, but 100 gallon is definitly more realistic.
I edited my post so you can be happy
 
VeiltailKing
Its so funny how you like to acuse others of not doing their research when you obviously don't do yours!
You just make yourself look bad!
Here are FIVE sources (both websites dedicated to oscars) that back up my claim that 2 Oscars can live fine in a 100g:
Source 1:
Source 2: What Size Tank Does an Oscar Fish Need
Source 3: Setting Up Oscar Fish Tanks and Aquarium
Source 4:
Source 5: 2 oscars minimum tank size

Let me know if you need more......
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Those are ABSOLUTE minimums. That does not mean they will live like kings. This article here says 75 gallon minimum for ONE Oscar:
Oscar Fish Care, Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding

The thing I’m worried about most is aggression.
 
Omg!
Does it make that much of a difference to you? TBH a few even said 75 gallon for 2, but 100 gallon is definitly more realistic.
I edited my post so you can be happy
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bruh why are you so mad lol
 

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Those are ABSOLUTE minimums. That does not mean they will live like kings. This article here says 75 gallon minimum for ONE Oscar:
Oscar Fish Care - Size, Life Span, Tank Mates, Breeding

The thing I’m worried about most is aggression.
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its so funny how the wording triggers you so much.
I gave you five sources you gave me one.
The range is given as 100 gallon minimum. Meaning 100 gallon is a healthy size for two. Its all about keeping the fish healthy.

bruh why are you so mad lol
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That is so overused it hardly has any meaning anymore.
 
I see some of these articles and I have to ask myself if they have even had a full grown oscar. I have and he destroyed my 75 gallon and he was the only fish in the tank.
 
King o´ Angelfish could you please help me convince these people I am a good fish keeper. I am a good fish keeper all. If there were any problems with my fish I would walk through fire to save them. I would never abuse, hurt, or porposely injury any fish. I may not be perfect but none of us are and I am trying my best to make sure these fish have a good life. If you don’t think I am good that is your opinion and I don’t care, I belive I keep my fish well and won’t let you guys tell me different. Thank you and please stop saying I’m doing a bad job.
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Fishes appear healthy, and you already mentioned upgradng; so I see no reason to derail this thread. I got your back, bro. Us three against the world. Come at us.

Rachel O’leary (Youtube her if you don’t know her) keeps her Oscar Mr. Cranky Pants in a 55 gallon for years. I trust her. Bigger is better, but sometimes I think people have unrealistic expectations from others.
 
I see some of these articles and I have to ask myself if they have even had a full grown oscar. I have and he destroyed my 75 gallon and he was the only fish in the tank.
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So you think 2 oscars should get 150g? (75 + 75)
If that´s so, a 150 gallon is 6ft long, and so is a 100g. The only difference is that the 150 is taller. Everyone knows that big fish like oscars need more length than height.

I honestly would keep 2 oscars in a 125. Gives each oscar an even 60 gallonof space (6ft x 1.5ft x 2 ft).

I was simply stating the minimum size. Nothing wrong with keeping fish in the miniumum size for it. Ofc more is better.

Fishes appear healthy, and you already mentioned upgradng; so I see no reason to derail this thread. I got your back, bro. Us three against the world. Come at us.

Rachel O’leary (Youtube her if you don’t know her) keeps her Oscar Mr. Cranky Pants in a 55 gallon for years. I trust her. Bigger is better, but sometimes I think people have unrealistic expectations from others.
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This thread really got long!
There is just so much drama when it comes to tank size.
 
Its really not so much gallonage it is per fish it comes down to basic dimensions. Your average oscar is 12-14" long so a 55 gallon that only 12" wide is out. A 75 is 18" which is better. A tank 4' long and 2' wide would be excellent. I have seen tanks as small as 90 gallons that would fit this bill. And yes I feel a tank 4' x 2' would house 2.
 
I got lost halfway through the thread.

You asked about the a single and pair oscar, but that’s not the only thing the OP has. He has more then that in his tanks.
 
I hate plecos. I don't like getting stabbed. They get stuck in every rock, driftwood and filter I put in with them. Lastly they don't move. you can take a rock out of the water and they stay on it. And if you have more than one pleco, then you have baby plecos in your aquarium for ever. Very cool looking, but I don't like working with them.
 
I don't hate Plecos, I'm just not fond of them. I bought a huge one about 8" from my LFS on an impulse buy. I gave him a shot in my 75 gallon and he wouldn't move from his perch under a slate slab. I think I saw him eat once on a slice of zuchinni. I stayed up late to see if he would come out and swim about, but nope. Spent 2 nights up late trying to catch him out and about, but again I was rewarded with nothing. After about 2 weeks I gave him away to a friend of mine today.
 
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  • #41
Hello all! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for all the support. I didn’t read through all the responses throughly but I did quickly read them. Here is the main thing I think people are concerned and “fighting” about.

1: flower horn being to aggressive:

Ok so let me address this flowerhorn thing before it gets out of hand. I am willing to move, rehime, or accommodate if any of the fish including flowerhorn get to aggressive. I however am using a methods that proved to work with me for other fish in the past. When I first got into cichlid keeping my blood parrot was my first and is my favorite today. Anyway when I got my first Oscar (the smaller one) I put him with the blood parrot but at the time the blood parrot was three times the size of him. What I was doing was growing the Oscar up in a environment where the BP was the boss so that when the Oscar was adult he wouldn’t pick on the BP, and that works Captain (the BP) is the boss of that tank even above the big Oscar (who came with that 55, I got it of online garage sale). My hope is to raise the flowerhorn from a young age with the Oscars so he will grow up knowing the Oscars and captain are boss. It’s worked for me before so I will do it again.

2: tank size:

Like I said I will rehome if it is better for the fish. I will do all I can to not have to do that (like I said I’m toying with the idea of a small indoor pond after the 125) but I will if I absolutely have to. As of right now they are fine and if there are issues I will deal with it when it comes.

EDIT: DutchAquarium I completely disagree with some things you said. I agree they can stab you and get caught up in things BUT mine has never got caught of in anything and I have never been stabbed. Also mine is just as active as my oscars, he is constantly out and moving around. I have so many videos to prove it but I don’t want to upload them here without editing a bit.
 

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Hi! I currently have a 55 gallon and a while back (about a month or 2 months ago) it had a bit of a algae problem. So I went out and got a common pleco (yes I am aware they get big I plan to get a much bigger tank for him in the future). After I got him I haven’t seen one SPECK of algae, so to all of you who say that Plecos don’t help, some do. Maybe not all but most I would say do. Because I’m other tanks where I had problems I got bristle nose Plecos, and clown Plecos and I don’t see any algae in those tanks anymore. So I don’t want to hear that they don’t help. Please leave our ideas in the comments, thanks
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We have a rubberlip - he's seriously one of the most entertaining fish to watch, to each their own though, if everyone hated and loved the same fish, it'd be boring!
 
I have 4 Blue Eye Lemon BN Plecos in a 45 gallon tank with Gary LangeI Rainbows. They are a great-looking small pleco and love to dine on the algae. I’m very happy with them and strongly recommend them. I also feed them HikarI algae wavers as a supplemental food and they love them.
 
I love my BN! He and my million pond snails have eradicated my algae problem in my 40 gallon tank. I do feed him pleco wafers and spare cucumber slices. It’s fun trying to find what spot he is hanging off of.
 
I used to not know what the big deal about plecos was all about. I mean, they poop and eat algae. Then I found the photo thread on this site. And I now have a 55 gallon community tank with the star, a yellow blue eyed Bristlenose pleco!! . Yes I do have a bunch of plants, and I do keep an eye on water parameters. I occasionally see Stucky nomming on things around the glass I guess, but I feed him veggies every evening. Commons can be good plecos! My friend has a young one. Tiny is about 2” long now? She doesn’t have algae in her tank. But she has had one before.
 
I love my little Lemon BN plecos. I wish I had more. Anyone here had theirs breed?
 
I love my little Lemon BN plecos. I wish I had more. Anyone here had theirs breed?
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Oh yes! I have been breeding them for years! I have a journal thread documenting the journey! Its in my signature. They are gorgeous plecos! I love them!
 
I checked out your 2916 journal thread. Did you get long fin lemons as you hoped?
 
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  • #50
HI All! I know this is a old thread but I pinned it in a thread I just replied to and wanted to tell you ( especially VeiltailKing ) That they all just moved into a 130 gallon tank with a 40 gallon sump
 

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