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At my work, we have quite a large selection of plecos. Customers every day come in wanting common plecs "for algae", usually without knowing their eventual size. I try to steer some of them towards other Loricariids, ones that will fit the tank size the customers give me. I am not entirely sure which of our stock do eat algae and which ones don't, so a little help would be appreciated.

Of the plecos below, which are algae eaters?
Para pleco
Gibbiceps (sailfin) pleco
Adonis pleco
Butterfly pleco
Tiger pleco (L002)
King tiger pleco
Clown pleco
Young Ancistrus plecos
Queen arabesque pleco
Goldy pleco
I think we have the Angelicus pleco as well.

Of these, I know that the Ancistrus and butterfly plecos will eat algae. I'm guessing that the para and king tiger plecs will as well, though I'm not sure on that score.
I know that sailfin, queen arabesque, clown, and (I think) goldy plecs will not eat algae. I am really not sure as to the other three.

Am I right in the above statements? Does anyone have any input here, especially someone with experience keeping these plecs? I just want to make sure my assumptions are correct, so that I don't mislead customers.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I don't know much about the other plecos, but we have a clown pleco and a queen arabesque. The clown eats in occassionally, but I would not rely on it for an algea eater. The queen does not appear to have any interest in algea at all and actually seem to prefer more carnivorous foods.
HTH
Jen

Last edited by jenbabe256 at 31-Jan-2005 16:36

Gibbies and occasionally adonises are good algae eaters. BNs are, of course, leading the pack.

i have noticed my clowns eating algae off of broad leaved plants, but mostly they do not eat algae whatsoever. they do eat decaying plant matter for the most part, but algae is hit or miss

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

You can check planetcatfish and search under common names. I saw most of those there and they should list what each one usually eats if you can't get many first hand accounts.

the sailfins i do believe are almost exactally like the commons, cept the look better, around 7" they become scavengers

Daka