Smallest pleco?

[Danifins]

I would really like one or two of the smaller/est pleco species for my 35 gallon, but I'm not sure which would be good.

Everyone on this board seems to love bristle nose ones but I don't really fancy them much myself.

Is a bulldog Pleco a nice one? I've read it only gets a couple inches. I was originally going to go with a clown pleco but I was reading that they might have some aggression and I don't want a mean fish sharing bottom with my future cories haha.

What do you all think is a good (and preferably easier to get) pleco? Keep in mind that ordering online isnt really something I can do (most of the popular sites don't ship to Canada and even if they did, if I was at work there'd be no one to accept the package). So distributed in LFS's would be good! :)

[BigPoppa]

One of the various species of Otocinclus will be the smallest.

[Trillianne]

I have a rubbernose/bulldog pleco, and it depends on what you want in a pleco or niceness.

They don't get as large, topping out at about 5 inches and are suitable for average 20+ gallon tanks.

In my experience.. they are a bit shy during the day and not a good showpiece pleco as they do a great job of finding hidey places.

It has been reported that they do not do well in multiples do to con-specific aggression, but otherwise they are rather peaceful. I have other bottom dwellers, including a different type of pleco in the same tank with mine and have not had any aggression issues.

[wijnands]

In chosing a bottom dweller you need to take your tank setup in consideration. What's on the bottom? Is it planted and how well? Water values? Temp? Tank mates? Flow?

[Danifins]

@bigpoppa
Aren't Otos a different kind of catfish? I was purposely staying away from them for certain reasons, which is why I'm looking for a small plec instead. Besides their need to be with at least 5+ of their own kind defeats the point of them being small haha.

@trilliane
I don't mind if they hide, as long as they're happy and eat my algae! I've been reading about them this morning and it seems like they have a lot more personality after a while in the tank, once they're less shy. And I'm fine with only having one, for sure. I just want it to coexist peacefully with cories.

@wljnands
There are no fish in my tank yet, it is currently fishless cycling. This is for future stock. I know I will have cories, not entirely sure which species yet.

The bottom is about 3/4 sand, with gravel on the one side of the tank, the separation lined with smooth river rocks. It is not planted yet but will have lots of driftwood and fake plants to start. I can't do real plants yet till I look into a better lighting system.

Temp is whatever I need it to be, water flow will be the outputs on an AC 50 and an AC 20, plus an airstone. Tank mates I don't know yet besides I want peaceful schoolers and cories. Nothing aggressive or territorial :)

[ScottishFish]

If you have a look in my journal 'scottishfish's 48gallon' I just posted a pic of a pleco I have, L262, maxes at 3inches, beautifull but can hide a lot. Cost me 10pounds! Bargain

[dbosman]

Albino bristle nose.

[MLBfan]

Read this thread: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...t=small+plecos

[mermaidwannabe]

Are you SURE you don't want one of those nine-foot catfish featured on the nature documentaries? LOL! Seriously, I'm also thinking Bristlenose Pleco for my 65, and am glad they stay small. I just need one that eats algae and will stay peaceful around dojos. A BN seems to fit the bill.

-- mermaid

[guppymummy]

I love my albino bristlenose pleco. he has personality, cleans well and is very peaceful.