Other Turtle Discussion :: Another Pleco Question...

[vear]

So, we all know that our little monsters are capable of eating anything we put in their tank. However, what I want to know is this: have any of your turtles been harmed by a pleco? I definitely wouldn't have a large pleco with hatchlings for fear that the pleco may drown them, but, Tomi is 5.5in long. So, does anybody have experience with plecos harming their RES? I don't mind risking the pleco's life, but I definitely mind risking Tomi's life.

[kmichael55]

Nope, my current pleco has lived peacefully with the turts for about 2 years now, he's about the same size as them and keeps to himself. The turtles killed a tiny pleco once. I've never kept a super large one with them but I'd imagine it wouldn't be an issue.

[DrexelTanker0712]

from what i know of pleco's nature, they won't bother your turtle, maybe occasionally cleaning their shell, but nothing else

[vear]

Thanks guys, that was pretty much my concern. =)

[SINI5T3R]

Well, it depends on what you consider a pleco? would a Chinese Algae Eater a type of Pleco? Cuz a full grown CAE prob wouldnt think twice about biteing a hatchling turtle and takin a chunk out of it id say...they get so mean as they get big...

This is what it says on a CAE Care Sheet LOL

The Chinese algae eater is commonly offered for sale in local pet shops but is probably not the best choice for most tanks. As juveniles they perform their job of eating algae with gusto but as they mature they may eat algae less and become very territorial. As they mature they may also start to affix themselves to the sides of larger flat bodied tank mates (such as Angelfish) and they will damage the scales of their victims. The Chinese algae eater is commonly offered for sale in local pet shops but is probably not the best choice for most tanks. As juveniles they perform their job of eating algae with gusto but as they mature they may eat algae less and become very territorial. As they mature they may also start to affix themselves to the sides of larger flat bodied tank mates (such as Angelfish) and they will damage the scales of their victims.

Size : Up to 11 inches (28 cm)...thats a nice sized fish right there....

Temperament / Behavior : As a juvenile it should be ok in a community tank but as it matures it can become a pest and should be removed from community tanks. It's probably best not to get them for community tanks in the first place. There are better algae eaters available for community tank setups.

[DrexelTanker0712]

haha, more about those chinese algae eaters....

yea, there is a fish that looks very similar to chinese algae eaters, and they do the same job, the look flatter and wider than the clgae eaters and have a solid black line down their side, i would look it up on aquahobby.com, they're definately the best place to go as a reference for fish.

[vear]

Yeeah, I don't know about those chinese algae eaters.. they sound mean! haha. Thanks guys, i'm trying some other sites to figure out what I want and if i'm even going to get a fish.