rising my temp for my pleco ?

Question

i have a 55 gallon tank, with 4 goldfish, i was told that i could add a plecostomus, so i got one, know that ive added it ive been told its tropical, its been in the tank for about 6 hours now and seems fine, should i buy a heater and heat the water a couple of degress its standing at 21 c and 70 f, pls advise , but he does look well. x

sorry fogot to add goldfish will be removed in about a year to a pond x

Answer 1

Putting a plecostomus in with goldfish might work out, plecostomus are hearty fish, it takes a lot to kill them, but they will grow large.
Goldfish can be live in water with a range of temps, and do best in large tanks and ponds.

You do not need to buy a heater, I have maintained a 55 gallon tank for two years with a plecostomus, glass tetras, and two weather loaches. The temp of my tank has been around 65 F to 68 F and my plecostomus has grown to 8 and 1/2 inches. The first year I had the tank, my son poured a whole container of fish food in it and killed every thing in the tank except the plecostomus. With in a week later the heater I had shorted out and boiled the tank killing off the stock I had just bought, and yet the plecostomus lived. That was two years ago, and since then I have not had a heater in the tank.

Both types create a fair bit of waste and the goldfish create a greater amount of amonia then tropical fish. If you gravity vaccum on a weekly basis and have a dependalbe filter this will not become a problem.

The main problem that you will run into is the rule of 55 gallons means you can only have 55 inches of fish. One inch of fish for every one gallon of water.

Also you will find the plecostomus likes to hide, and will stir up the gravel to create a hidding place. You need to add a place for him to hide that will not trap him has he grows bigger.

Good luck with your tank.

Answer 2

It sure wouldn't hurt to wamr him a bit. 72 - 74 would be better for him over all. 70 isn't critically low, but since you are moving the goldfish out soon, go ahead and get the heater, no doubt you will need it for other fish in the spring.

MM

Answer 3

i would take him back.
the amount of waste 4 goldfish AND a pleco are creating is enough to overload and crash your tank.
and plecos are known to suck on the slime coat of large bodied slow moving fish such as goldfish, leaving the goldfish susceptable to diseases.

and if the pleco you've bought is common plec or sailfin plec, he'll grow too large for your tank. commons grow to 1.5ft, sailfins grow to 2ft, and unfortunately they're the most commonly sold.

it's not just the temperature problem.

Answer 4

70 degrees should be alright for your pleco.. but generally he would prefer something around 74-78

i wouldnt worry about him