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My work has a couple of Peckoltia plecos: the para pleco, and the leopard frog plec. Though they are Peckoltias (according to Planet Catfish), most of which are good at controlling algae, I can't find any information on the 'Net about their algae-eating effectiveness. In addition, its Planet Catfish profile said that the leopard frog pleco didn't eat algae well. I know that the profiles there aren't always correct, and I'm inclined to believe that that is the case. However, without a second opinion, I have no way of knowing for sure. Do any of you know whether these plecs will actually eat algae or 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."

Peckoltias are not great algae eaters-they may feed on it, but they won't do a noticeable job. As they are ancistrids closely related to the hypans, they prefer meatier foods. Henceforth, usualy neglecting vegetable amtter. From personal experience I can tell you the paras don't touch the stuff.

I was under the impression that Peckoltias ate algae well because of the butterfly and candy stripe plecos. So, you're saying that these guys are exceptions?

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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."

Chameleon plecs aren't exactly great algae eaters; In the year or so span I kept the species, not once had I seen them feast on the abundance of algae in my 30 gallon. Candy stripes will clean off some algae from ornaments, but they definitely show a preference for fibrous vegetables and carnivore pellets.

You have a chameleon pleco?

I didn't know they were ever imported... How did you get him?



Anyway, my Peckoltia is by no means an algae-eater. In fact, he is eating a large shrimp right now...

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Not a chameleon whiptail (though I dearly ache for one). It's just another name for the butterfly plec, which by the way books, is not a peckoltia species.

Also, how are the pencils doing?

Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 10-Feb-2005 01:14

Ahh... I see.

The pencils are well... Sorry I haven't um, sent them yet... This has just been an extremely busy week at school for me. I also need to find some info on how to ship the fish.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Ah. I wonder where they got the common name "Pretty Peckoltia" then? Maybe they were formerly in the genus?

Oh, and I found the thread which made me think that Peckolita cats ate algae well. [link=Right here.]http://fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Bottom%20Feeder%20Frenzy/50468.html?200411241324" style="COLOR: #808080[/link] "Most Pecks are decent algae eaters..."

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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."

"Candy stripes will clean off some algae from ornaments, but they definitely show a preference for fibrous vegetables and carnivore pellets. "

Etc.

Then, of course, you have to take into account the taxonomic confusion which reigns over the Ancistrinae at the moment. Hyancistrus zebra was originally classified as a Peckoltia, and Erwin Schraml wrote a nice piece in one of my mags about wood eating Plecs that included this taxonomic mess. I wrote an article based on that piece a little while ago.

It seems that some of the fishes are awaiting the creation of new Genera. Which will add to the confusion until the dust settles.

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

"Then, of course, you have to take into account the taxonomic confusion which reigns over the Ancistrinae at the moment. Hyancistrus zebra was originally classified as a Peckoltia, and Erwin Schraml wrote a nice piece in one of my mags about wood eating Plecs that included this taxonomic mess. I wrote an article based on that piece a little while ago."

It's been a looong while since anyone I know has referred to L-46 as Peckoltia Zebra. I believe when the species first entered the hobby, it was simultaneously classified in both genera. There are still classification problems with several members of the hypan genus, most noticeably the perv. panther and king tiger plecs. I have also heard that the snowball may be reclassified as a peckoltia. Pecks aren't known for their tendency to ingest wood. As with their close realtives, the hypancistrids, examination of a wild peckoltia gut reveals fruit, assorted invertebrates, fish, and carrion. (If the reader is wondering, I have tried feeding banana, mango, and other fruits to my hypancistrids and peckoltias--they don't like it )


Last edited by Cup_of_Lifenoodles at 20-Feb-2005 12:52