Small Plecos?

[Denorios]

I would really like to get a pleco, but my tank is only 29 gallons. Obviously most plecos grow far too large for such a small tank, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a type of pleco that doesn’t get as large and might be a good fit for a 29 gallon community tank?

[Abbeys_Mom]

Candy Stripe Plecos and Bristle nose catfish are the fish that pop to mind. I know there are others, but I can't think of them.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Yup, bristlenoses don't get too big for that size tank.

[Abbeys_Mom]

They are shy (at least mine is) and they do a good job with the algae.

[Severus]

I think you would be happy with a bristlenose

[Abbeys_Mom]

If you are looking for something more interesting, you can get an albino one.

[Severus]

What about a cat? otto, upside down, cory cat?

[kimmers318]

In my experience otto cats can't keep up with algae like a bristlenose can. Maybe if you have a dozen or so, but just a few probably won't help. I know 1 in my dwarf puffer tank doesn't do squat! My bristlie on the other hand is an algae machine! When I researched I looked for a small pleco that would continue to be a good algae eater even when it got older and the bristlenose is what I came up with. Another plus is the albino is supposed to stay a little smaller than the regular bristlenose.
Check out this link
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]=
for a list of other small plecos. If it doesn't show register at fishforums.net and then try again afterwards.
Hope that helps

[Denorios]

Thanks for all the advice, I had a Chinese Algae Eater, but as he got larger he became aggressive. I also had a Hillstream Loach in my dwarf puffer tank, but it didn’t last too long, the puffers left it alone, it just died. But it did a fantastic job on Algae and it looked really cool. I was also looking at a Twig Cat, but I heard they don’t do a great job on algae and they are sensitive to water conditions. So I will definitely look into finding a Bristlenose Catfish? Are the candy strip plecos the same as an Imperial Zebra Pleco?

[kimmers318]

With common names it is hard to tell. A store, or supplier can label a fish with a name, sometimes it sticks....sometimes it doesn't. Try googling both common names and see if the other possibility shows up.
Good luck, and let us know what you find/decide to get...esp if you find something that isn't as common in the stores.

[jeffs99dime]

otto cats are one of the best algae eaters hands down! they'll even eat brown algae! you could get upside down cats too. they are also very good

[Denorios]

I probably will get a couple Upside Down Cats, but I didn't think they would eat the algae on the walls?

[jeffs99dime]

I probably will get a couple Upside Down Cats, but I didn't think they would eat the algae on the walls?

my u.d. cats did!

[wantsome]

Here is some pleco ID L numbers of smaller plecos. For pics of these fish check out [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] and look in the catalog for the L numbers.

L 183
L 046
L 333
L 204
L 038
L 066
L 129
L 104
L 134
L 236

These are all suitable for a 29 gallon

[marek313]

I got 5 young Albino Bristlenose Plecos and I think they are my favorite. I also have 2 ottos that I like and they get algea where ABN cant or wont. My common pleco got lazy and he only eats what I give him unless I dont feed him for few days then he goes after algea. I would recommend and bristlenose and Ottos, both are great.

[cocoa_pleco]

this thread is from january. theres little dates on top

[Severus]

He was just trying to be helpful! lol

[cocoa_pleco]

true. Thanks for being helpful!

[tetra11]

i only have a 10g tank and I just bought about an inch long common pleco but it might outgrow the tank im not sure.

[Drumachine09]

i only have a 10g tank and I just bought about an inch long common pleco but it might outgrow the tank im not sure.


It will outgrow it definatly.

[cocoa_pleco]

fullgrown ones need at least a 75g

[gm72]

Yeah, my common started out at about an inch and now is close to 11 inches. 10 gallons is WAY undersized. Either plan to upgrade your tank to a far larger one or return him to the store.