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	Plecos
Gills Hobbyist Posts: 53 Kudos: 41 Votes: 0 Registered: 06-May-2004	Can you put a pleco in a pond?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
terranova Fish Master Posts: 1984 Kudos: 1889 Votes: 229 Registered: 09-Jul-2003	Though I do not have a pond, I believe it is okay as long as your temperature satisfies a plecos needs. Plecos are tropical fish, and like temperatures in the 70s. Maybe someone else with more pond experience will post. HTH -Formerly known as the Ferretfish
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
Dolf Enthusiast Posts: 203 Kudos: 180 Votes: 46 Registered: 09-May-2004	Every Spring I get a couple little common plecos to put in my pond. They do a nice job of algae removal. In the Fall I trade them back to the lfs for store credit. Make sure they are out of the pond before the night time water temp gets to low. You'll also need places for them to hide from the sun.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
terranova Fish Master Posts: 1984 Kudos: 1889 Votes: 229 Registered: 09-Jul-2003	I think thats a really good idea, but dont you have trouble catching the plecs at the end of the season? -Formerly known as the Ferretfish
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
jimg87 Enthusiast Posts: 175 Kudos: 431 Votes: 44 Registered: 15-Jul-2003	Its VERY hard to catch them! I once had a 14 inch pleco in my 1,500g pond and could not find him until winter when he was frozen solid in the ice As long as your pond isnt too big or deep like mine, you should be fine. Good luck! -jim
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
betahex Fish Addict Posts: 864 Kudos: 352 Votes: 0 Registered: 11-Jul-2001	i always thought Plecos can survive outside during the winter...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
terranova Fish Master Posts: 1984 Kudos: 1889 Votes: 229 Registered: 09-Jul-2003	Depends on where you live -Formerly known as the Ferretfish
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
Dolf Enthusiast Posts: 203 Kudos: 180 Votes: 46 Registered: 09-May-2004	Even here if Phoenix it doesn't stay warm enough in the winter to keep tropicals in the pond. Catching the plecos at the end of summer is always a bit of a challenge. I start by removing the planters and other hiding places. Then I put on my swim trunks, grab my 2 big nets and climb in. Once all of the obsticles are out of the way, its easier to heard them into a net.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
jimg87 Enthusiast Posts: 175 Kudos: 431 Votes: 44 Registered: 15-Jul-2003	hahah, been there done that! First of all you dont know whats swimming up your shorts and second of all its hard to see the bottom in a 4 ft deep pond like mine once you start walking around in it and stir up all the bottom "gunk". Makesa very interesting/frustrating afternoon! -jim [span class="edited"][Edited by jimg87 2004-08-18 15:20][/span]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
wonder woman Fish Addict Posts: 545 Kudos: 279 Votes: 0 Registered: 07-Aug-2003	Hmnm...interesting idea. Would a pleco be okay in a 550g pond with 6 medium-sized koi and shubunkins, a pair of platies, some live (potted) plants like water lillies and taro, if it's in Southern California? I'm not sure what temperature the pond will go down to during the winter, but it has managed to stay at 70F since I set it up 2 months ago. Please let me know what you think.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
Dolf Enthusiast Posts: 203 Kudos: 180 Votes: 46 Registered: 09-May-2004	Wonder Woman- I think 70 is about the minimum temp for a pleco. based on adult size, a medium Koi is going to be a lot bigger than a medium shubukin, but if they are say 6 inches or so you should be OK. I've got a mix of 9 comets and shubukins in my 500g pond with some killies and minnows. This year I've got 2 plecos. They are up to about 6 inches but don't bother any of the other fish.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22
wonder woman Fish Addict Posts: 545 Kudos: 279 Votes: 0 Registered: 07-Aug-2003	Aside from the problems I might have catching the guy if I ever needed to, and probably never enjoying actually getting to SEE him in the pond, I don't think it will stay warm enough for him. As I said, right now, with normal temps being in the 80's-90's, my pond has maintained a 70f temp. And I know it will get cooler in the winter, however, it does not freeze where I am. Sure would have been nice, though.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:22


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