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Hey I was wondering what are some peclo's that don't get large over time.. I heard the BN was pretty good.. But I'm pretty sure my LFS doesn't have BN's..

Try looking at the bulldog pleco which I believe is also known as a rubber lipped pleco of the chaestoma species.

There are actually quite a few. Clown plecos, bulldog plecs, even a rubber pleco. One of these should be at your store, if bn cats are not.

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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."

BN's stay small as compared to other plecs, but they can still reach 5 and sometimes even 6 inches. Otherwise, the ones that Nick listed are great, although I have found they arent always considered common, so you might have to special order. Good Luck!!

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Another question.. Are pleco's hardy? Meaning to withstand the normal cycle?

Pitbull pleco's get about an inch long and are pretty hardy. Bristlenoses are another smaller pleco that can withstand a cycle pretty regularly...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

i haven't tried cycling a tank with my clown plecos, but they seem like a very hardy fish.

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

My BN went through a couple of fishkeeping errors, so I'd say they might be hardy enough for a cycle, but I just wouldn't risk it. IMO just better to use something like zebra danios or maybe a livebearer.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I don't know, BNs can get PRETTY big, bordering on 8", depending on which species. If you're looking for some small, efficient algae eaters, and are intent on bristlenoses, get some of the smaller end species, such as golds and brevis. My LFS recently got a shipment of sideburn BNs, but being too short on money, i passed it up. All of these BN species only get to be around 3" tops, and are quite charming. Hypancistrus sp.s tend to stay pretty small, too, but are more sought after for their rarity rather than their algae eating habits. Smaller ones such as the 129 and the ever popular zebra are both small and very pretty, but quite pricey.