Wanting A Bristlenose But...

I'm currently fishless cycling a 55 gallon. I would like to stock with 10-12 green/tiger barbs, red tail black shark, at least 6 zebra danios. My question is I would like to start out with Danios and bristlenose since I assume they are less aggeressive. Would this be ok since I'm just starting? Would a lack of algae be a problem?

 

Its kind of a yes and no. A pleco of any kind needs its own diet and can't just eat algae alone. So you can just feed it a little more since it will not have algae to eat. Mines currently on strike from eating algea. Lol. Spoiled fish.

 

Feed the BN blanched zucchini. That will eat it up.

You shouldn’t get a fish to clean the tank. Like david1978 says they’ll end striking against you.

 

Yeah someone at the store said don't get the pleco until algae builds up. I wasn't really buying the advice. Heard the same with my snails in my 5 gallon and they have made it ok

 

zebra danios are very hardy, maybe start with first but don't be worried to much about adding fish to your cycle as it goes as your other fish are also hardy. my bristlenose both keep algae off my tank but mainly eat algae wafers.

 

Kind of wanted a bristlenose and albino bristlenose. I'll have a 55gal with a aqua clear 70 and 40 sponge filter. Just didn't wanna overdue it with the shark.

 

I like the advice of starting out with the danios first, see how it goes, then add the BN plecos in a month or so if everything goes as planned.

I feed my BN plecos North Fin and Omega One veggie/algae wafers. I also feed them blanched veggies like brocolli, zucchini. BN plecos also need wood in their diet, so make sure to include driftwood.

And just an FIY, a male and female BN pleco will most likely breed. My pleco babies make it if they hide well enough from the other fish and daddy pleco really guards them. If your danios don't eat the babies, you can be overrun quickly and a plan to rehome ahead of time is worth a consideration.

 

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This is what I'm working with, I'll get a better pic later. Hard to tell but that's a decent size driftwood