which type of pleco for a 55 gallon tank?

Question

i haven't set up my tank yet but i am trying to do some thorough research. I want one of the smaller species of pleco, nothing really over 6 inches. This will be my first aquarium. which kind would you recommend i look into?

i don't want a pleco to be the solution to clean my tank...in fact i know that i will likely have to supplement its diet with zuchini and algae disks.

Answer 1

A bristlenose or a rubbernose will stay small. I personally own a rhino pleco that I really like. I'll see if I can find some good links to attach on these.

Bristlenose/bushynose pleco:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1923&articleid=2663
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/640.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/197.htm

Rubbernose/rubber lip pleco:
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/331.htm

Some other species profiles:
http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/list.aspx?category=1

Answer 2

No type of pleco ever grows small, no matter what pet stores say. You can't specially breed a pleco to make it grow small. But any common pleco would grow up to 10 inches in a 55 gallon aquarium. Plecos usually make a lot more waste than what they clean up, so I'd do some more research if you really want to get a pleco.

~ZTM

Answer 3

If you want to have a nice talking piece get a rare pleco like a zebra. If you get a comon pleco they are fun to watch, but not very colourful. what i would do is go to your loacal pet store and find the fish that seems like it would be a good match for your aquarium, but be careful with your choice, my pleco's are 7 years old and about 8 inches long. they're beautiful, but require 20 years of comitment.

Answer 4

it don't matter really ,, just base it on the size of your fish,, if you just doing lame community fish a small one If your doing some cool fish ,, or larger fish get one a bit bigger still two would be OK! Yet don't think plecos are the save all you will still have to clean your tank !! Look for a blue eye they are neat! yes they do get big ,but they stay out of the way for most part,! HINT if you want a healthy tank don't OVER Feed that is what most newbies do wrong!

Answer 5

I recommend Clown Pleco, or Rubbernose Pleco.


ßübblëš

Answer 6

My favorite pleco is the clown pleco, it has cool color.
http://www.aquascapeonline.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=330
55g is fine for any of theseIMO
http://www.aquascapeonline.com/store/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=86

Answer 7

check out these sites they are great with all info on any pleco

http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1923

http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/genus.php?genus_id=1#51