Plecos

[Rfreddy321]

I am having an issue keeping the plecos alive in my Cichlid tank. I don't know if it is that they cannot handle the salt or what the problem may be. I have had two die within the last couple months. Them largest peacock I have is about 4-5 inches and the plecos have always been larger then that. Any help or guidance to the right species. I have bought both from Showcase in Wheaton. All the Peacocks and Mbunas are healthy.

 

[Tony]

Not sure, man. For the most part, common plecos are pretty forgiving when it comes to water parameters. Were there any obvious signs of wear and tear on the plecos when you found them dead?

 

[cmcpart0422]

I dont have good luck with plecos either... The longest I have kept one alive is around 10 months. I pretty sure most of mine have died because of either aggression or starvation. When I kept them with my peacocks there were used as punching bags and were constantly harassed. Tony asked a good question did you notice any signs of them getting pick on?

 

[Rfreddy321]

The pleco when found had its tail nipped and the front fins eaten. I believed that this was done after it was dead as we had seen it earlier and it was not being harassed and appeared to be okay.

 

[AlishanAS]

If the pleco had a sunken belly, it most likely starved. I do keep plecos with some African cichlids but not with aggressive mbuna.
To ensure your plecos are getting enough food, feed them at night after you turn the tank lights off.

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Some are also better suited for the hard basic water of African tanks. As big as the plecos were I can't imagine they were harassed to death. Food can be an issue though since Africans are food ravenous. I've never purpose fed a pleco and never lost one to starvation. Hopefully your luck will get better.

 

[DonkeyFish]

You didn't mention what *kind* of plecos you are keeping....... I think everyone is assuming the common ones you'd find at, say, Petco. Not Bristlenose or any of the other types. Correct?

 

[Chicklid]

I'm thinking they're common plecos since he said that they were bigger than his 4 or 5" cichlids.

 

[Jigg's]

I don't know I have 2 wild caught bristle nose and there a little bigger than 7 inches. I'm guessing wild get much bigger than tank raised?