What type of pleco for these tanks+ pond

Hi! I've been wanting to keep a pleco or an algae eater for a very long time, however, I was already busy enough with my existing fish and didn't want to add any other fish to my collection, but recently especially over the summer in my pond, there was so much algae and there were days where I could barely see my fish. I did some research and according to most sources, adding a pleco or an algae eater was the solution. I was planning on getting some plecos, but it turns out there's more than one species of them. I was wondering what type of pleco and how many I could put in my 3000 G pond(Koi+Goldfish)(it gets as low as -20 where I live), and in my 120G(Common Goldfish/Tiny Koi), 55G(Large Fancy Goldfish) and possibly my new cichlid tank that I'm almost done cycling(75 G) as well as my small fancy goldfish tank(37 G), and my molly + betta tank (29 G).

 

A common pleco would probably do well in the 3000g. Or maybe a sailfin...definitely one of the bigger plecos that can get 2 ft or so in length! But some sort of heater or a big indoor tank would be needed for winter most likely(125g +).

Smaller tanks, smaller varieties. Bristlenose plecos work well and usually pretty easy to find, including different color strains, stay around 5-6" full grown, typically.

 

Would 1 common+1 sailfin work for the 3000 G and 2 bristlenoses for the 125 and just one bristlenose for the rest of them? Also do they need food(I know it sounds stupid) or just algae? I can probably get some small plecos at my lfs, and grow them out in the 125 g over the winter, but then do I need to take them inside the next winter as well? Also I've heard that. plecos don't like light, do I need to get some pipes/ tubes for them or would regular hiding spots work

 

They woukd definitely need to be fed as well. Plecos are eating machines.

 

I have zero experience with outdoor containers of 3000 gallon.

Adding another fish to remove a problem that is often accentuated by having lots of fish may not work?

Algae is often a sign of high nutrients in the water.
What kind of algae? Green water or a form that is like a weed growing in a bunch or clump. Can’t see the fish? Green Water ?


-20 centigrade is to cold for BN plecos . -7 centigrade is about as low as I have seen them acclimate to.

Please don’t get two BN . They breed when wet.

 

I would not add any plecos to the pond, as outdoors outside (sub-)tropical regions the water will always be too cold for permanent holding.
And frankly also not to the goldfish tanks. The likelihood of the temperature having a too low average is also high there.

If any, add them to tropical tanks. And yes, plecos prefer a place to hide. Not necessarily from the light, but yes, a hiding spot or several are obligatory.

And as Flyfisha said: Keep them single, else you suffocate in fry. Almost as bad as Guppies in the regard.

 

Okay, so i think im only gonna get a bristlenose for the 75 gallon cichlid tank, but maybe one for the fancy goldfish as well? Temperature in that tank is always around 75 degrees. the algae problem in my pond is weird. the reason why algae grows so well in my pond is because my pond is an in-ground pond at the bottom of a small hill in my backyard. on the hill we often plant flowers and other plants, and we use fertilizer so sometimes the fertilizer the fertilizer goes in the pond making it easier for algae to grow. I've added a barrier recently so the algae problem should be better next year.

 

the fancy goldfish as well? Temperature in that tank is always around 75.

Isn't that a bit high for the goldfish?

 

Most people use uv steralizers in their pond to kill off the algae. Where you are is to cold for plecos but maybe a Chinese algae eater would work. Not sure of there temps though.

 

Isn't that a bit high for the goldfish?

yeah, you're right, i probably should turn the heater down a little bit to around 72, they're still doing well though. would otos work for this tank??

Most people use uv steralizers in their pond to kill off the algae. Where you are is to cold for plecos but maybe a Chinese algae eater would work. Not sure of there temps though.

i think Chinese algae eaters like warmer waters...

 

Yeah but it does get cold in China. Next you’d have to get large ones cause the koi will eat whatever fits in there mouths.

 

would otos work for this tank??

Absolutely not. They are tropical (equatorial Amazon basin) feeding specialists, you can feed the goldfish the money directly. Same result.

Yeah but it does get cold in China.

The common name is a misnomer. They only live in the southernmost province of China with a subtropical climate and otherwise in (sub-)tropical Thailand, Vietnam and the Malayan peninsula. Room-temp down to 20-22°C is ok, below is not.

 

Absolutely not. They are tropical (equatorial Amazon basin) feeding specialists, you can feed the goldfish the money directly. Same result.


The common name is a misnomer. They only live in the southernmost province of China with a subtropical climate and otherwise in (sub-)tropical Thailand, Vietnam and the Malayan peninsula. Room-temp down to 20-22°C is ok, below is not.

Are there any coldwater plecos at all??? I've given up trying to find a pleco that can live in -20 c, but there should be at least some sort of algae eating fish that can live at 70 f.

 

Are there any coldwater plecos at all???

If you mean below 20°C, no.
All plecos originate from South America, almost all live in tropical temperatures. There are a few that live in somewhat cooler hillstreams, but most of those are not available in the fish trade and the few that are available, are adapted to strong currents and very clean, very oxygenated water.

but there should be at least some sort of algae eating fish that can live at 70 f.

Nope. I would rather look for and solve the root problem or get used to cleaning yourself. No aufwuchs eaters compatible with goldfish.

 

If you mean below 20°C, no.
All plecos originate from South America, almost all live in tropical temperatures. There are a few that live in somewhat cooler hillstreams, but most of those are not available in the fish trade and the few that are available, are adapted to strong currents and very clean, very oxygenated water.


Nope. I would rather look for and solve the root problem or get used to cleaning yourself. No aufwuchs eaters compatible with goldfish.

Okay... so ill only buy a bristlenose for the cichlid tank then....

 

Okay... so ill only buy a bristlenose for the cichlid tank then....

That's what it boils down to. But I would wait until you know what cichlids you will ultimately get, there are many that are also not compatible with Ancistrus sp..

 

I mentioned in my post #5 that I have seen BN surviving at low temperatures. Not just surviving but living in a self sustaining population in a large garden pond/ lake. At least the Australian strain of BN survives all year round in our climate once accustomed to cold water. We regularly have -8 centigrade nights. I agree the BN is a tropical fish and should be kept in warm water.

 

would a bristlenose work for the 29 g?? its a tropical tank with mollies and a betta, or is that too small for a bristlenose... or maybe a rubber-lip?

 

I’ve done it. Yes it will be fine. Thing is it’s still a waste producer so you’ll have to up your water changes and need a bigger filter.

 

would a bristlenose work for the 29 g?? its a tropical tank with mollies and a betta, or is that too small for a bristlenose... or maybe a rubber-lip?

Bristlenose: yes, rubber-lip: no.
The latter usually wither away in community tanks.

 

today i picked up an albino bristlenose pleco and some algae wafers for my 29 g( i think it's albino, it looks a bit yellow, but is mostly white and see through?) a 1 inch very young juvenile...it's already fitting perfectly in with my mollies( my betta's sick... i don't know how she's gonna react when she comes back) also... i heard that these guys develop bristles when they're older... or does mine just have bad genetics and also just to clarify for myself... no plecos for the cichlid tank... also one last question... how do you tell if he or she's alive? unless she's facing the the tank glass, I can't see her gills or mouth moving and most of the time she just stays at the back of the tank...

 

Bn pleco are semi nocturnal. In a new tank it’s probably just keeping a low profile?
Do you have wood to chew on? And to live under?

At around 5 months when over two inches the males grow bristles on their face the females grow them only on the lower lip.

Females may be a little more secretive?

Give the new fish 48 hours to settle.

 

oh i didn't know they needed wood... but I will get some asap... thanks... should I also feed the pleco cucumbers ,zucchini in addition to the algae wafers?