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I have a common pleco,elephant fish and a hoplo catfish.
They are really good friends..sometimes they all are in the same cave...
I would like to know if i could have another pleco in my 75g tank?
I was thinking of a nice looking one and that he doesnt get to big.
Any suggesstions?
Thanks,
Robby

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

An ancistrus, possibly. Otherwise, I wouldn't, as the hoplo and common will be dominating the playing field already.

if u get another common pleco, it will fight with the one already in the tank.

How about a medium sized pleco with some bulk on his side.
Some ideas: Royal Pleco, Queen Arabesque, Inspector, Gold Nugget, Bristlenose, Orange Seam, Blue Phantom (though I suspect they get as large as a common).
I have a BN and an Inspector in my 75g, they do squabble though, but nothing serious so far- I have been keeping an eye on them.
I dont know if this is true or not, but I have heard that 2 plecs of the same species if not a M/F will fight. Perhaps its 2 of diff species like mine.
Maybe someone who knows Plecs can respond on that


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The trouble with the above is that many of these plecos can't hang with a common. The queen and inspector get nowhere near the common pleco's size, and could easily be trashed by a fully grown common. The blue phantom does not grow as large as a common (eight inches, give or take), and is pretty shy for a plec. A blue phantom would just get dominated by a common if the latter felt like being mean.
The royal and gold nugget plecos would be a different story altogether. They can each top a foot in size, and I don't believe that either is a very shy fish. As such, a leviathan battle between fully-grown plecos is certainly possible, and could be disastrous for a tank. I can't comment on the orange seam, I know little about these fish. A BN would be a better choice, because Ancistrus plecos aren't threatening to large commons, but will not let themselves get beaten around the tank. Ancistrus plecs are pretty danged tough, and can hold their own against larger plecs.

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Thanks Sirbooks!
I was just thinkin about all the ones I have seen recently..but like I said I dont know much about Plecos
My Inspector seems pretty tough though, he holds his own against the BN anyway LOL


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Definitely not the gold nugget. It will be a battle to remember. These guys are quite agressive and will launch an attack on bottom dwellers twice their size. They'll often win too. An impressive sight but not something I'd like to see anyone repeat. My gold nugget is one reason I'm getting another large tank The royal while reaching a good size is not that agressive but could end up being the target instead of the attacker. I'd have to agree that if anything get a bn. It's not likely to be seen as a threat, won't be the instigator in a potentially tank breaking battle, and can survive quite a bit of abuse without getting injured or too stressed.

Royals are not to be kept with commons, ever (and this is highly reccomended against by most catfish hobbyists). One of two things will occur: either the common will outcompete the royal or they will quarrel greatly. Gold nuggets, not so much, but two fish over 12" in an aquarium just doesn't work. Blue phantoms, hypans, and other shy species will often become alarmed by the common's rapid movements, though it is possible---but the hoplo is an active forager during all times and will easily outcompete them. Zebras, at this point, are strictly out of the question.

Hmmm..so if i take out the common pleco,then it will be ok with the zebra pleco?
Or should i also remove the hoplo catfish aswell
What pleco can i have with the zebra plecos?
Robby

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

It's not so much the common as it is the hoplo, as in addition to being rather rowdy, they are usually first to the food and last to leave, etc. Other xingu hypancistrus do best with zebras, though I suppose the for now the more herbivorously inclined p.pardlis (or, if your lucky, H. plecostomus/punctatus) should not be a problem in regards to food.

Thanks,..those plecos you mentioned get 12"...

Last edited by robby1619 at 11-Apr-2005 07:57

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

Which species I mentioned? P pardalis? That's the common pleco you currently have...which is why I suggested you get rid of it, as 18" of fish can't fit in a 75 gallon.

OOhh...silly me....
I should have known that
Okey..i will give back the common pleco and the hoplo catfish then.
Hopefully i will buy those zebra plecos this week

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.