Pleco question

[SCOOTER]

Hello, a couple posters suggested I get a Pleco to go in my 55 gallon tank with two small Jack Dempseys (both 2 inches). My question is what type should I purchase. Any recomendations would be very helpful since I'm not too familiar with Plecos.

[rollie]

dempseys get big and mean. they just might eat or killed anything you put with them. some plec can get to 2 feet or more. be careflull.

[William]

It is hard to say for sure as different specimens have very different temperament. A larger pleco (larger than the dempseys) will likely work but you should still keep an eye on it to make sure that it doesn't get too badly beaten.

[chrissie]

How long do plecos usually live for? I have just lost mine, had him for about five years and had expected him to live for longer than that, very upset!

[rollie]

i think 15 to 25 years.

[rev]

Hi Scooter. If you want to keep plecos with cichlids (hoping ph will not exceed 7.5) go for a more robust sp. such as L021/L023 (Common), L083 (sailfin) or L001 (goldspot)These are all hardy robust large growing sp. that are suitably housed with cichlids.
Yes, they can live 25 yrs or longer if kept well with a suitable balanced diet of fresh vegetables, some meaty foods & prepared foods. Algae & wood also make up a large part of 'some' sp. diets.