I want to add a Pleco to my Oscar tank and hear that many varieties reach almost two feet in length, while some others stay much smaller. Can anyone recommend some of the smaller ones by name so I can watch for them?
I visited the Pleco website and see many that go by Numbers (such as L109 etc) but that tells me nothing.

I also read somewhere that some Plecos are in fact meat eaters and that would probably be better in a Oscar tank too, correct?

I'm looking to add one Pleco in with two Oscars. Are there other smaller growing scavenger catfish that would be good tankmates?

You already know my feelings about pleco. Anyway, I would avoid getting these sort of fish. Yes, some of them are very good-looking fish and don't get to the size of the big ones. However, they are still very messy, some also cost a lot of money. I quite like the various catfish that you can get. Some of them only reach around 8 inches so are perfect. They aren't very messy which is a huge bonus. The only drawback is they aren't very active during the day. You should give them a hiding place so they don't get stressed. Pictus catfish are also a good choice. They only reach around 5 inches. If you keep them in groups, they will be more active and you will see them more.

Oscarfishlover wrote:


I posted here about Plecos before I read your other post in the Welcome section. I willl avoid the Pleco idea altogether I think. However above you made a mention of catfish, but you didnt' suggest a strain or variety. Do you have something specific in mind? I was thinking of only one fish unless they are smaller and do better in groups of 2-3. There will be hiding places. I really am thinking of only one bottom dweller though. Suggestions?

There are various types of syndontis catfish that you can get. I have got one variety that reaches around six or 7 inches. I have got two of them and have had them for around three years. There are various types you can get. I think the majority of them are African so you have to bear that in mind because Oscars come from South America. Here's a Web site that lists of you. If you look on the left hand menu, you will see African catfish. I haven't looked at any other catfish, there might be others there that will be suitable. It will give you the size they reach and other useful information about them I have already mentioned pictus catfish. These are quite sweet if kept in small groups. If you do buy them, I get them as adults, not tiny juveniles

www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/african-ca...ynodontis/100136.asp

Thanks,

I hit that karma button to see what that was all about and unfortunately I simply clicked on the down one by your name. I didn't realize that reflected negatively upon you and I will fix that after 6 hours. You run a great site that is immensely helpful to Oscar owners. Thanks for all your good information.

that's okay, I'm sure a lot of people think I talk a load of bollocks anyway

if you are planning on gettin a pleco....... i suggest you get one that is bigger than your oscar because i had a small pleco and it got killed by the oscars(who were bigger)

I find plecs keep a tank clean. I very rarely have to clean my tank from algae. They do produce visible waste tho so you need to keep up with your gavel cleaning. I rarely feed them (the algae wafers) as they seem to get enough from the algae that grows and any odd bits of waste food. They are also very slow growing so you dont need to worry about them getting too big. Most only get to about a foot or so. I have a 3 year that is about 8inches. It was an inch when i got it. Compare that to oscars!!!! If you have one that is a decent size (bout 6in plus) and you want rid of it most local fish shops(in england) will give you a credit for it

I just got rid of a 15 incher and a 10 incher that came with the 55 I bought with an oscar and others:angry:
mike c.

I have 2 plecos in my tank about 10 inches long.
They POO alot though but they do help keep tank clean.
I feed them shrimp and they love cucumbers i put a
slice in about twice a week,my oscars will even nibble on
the cucumbers.My oscars dont seem to mind them and they
dont seem to mind the oscars.

I have 2 veiled tigers and 2 albinos in my 150. I have a group of 3 blackfin catfish and 2 clown loaches that keep my protein waste under control. I have had the plecos before in with other oscar tanks and have not had good results. The pleco began to fight with the oscars when they reached the same size. Plecos also have an "armour" on their bodies and it is slightly spiked (very much so on the tail) and gets harder with age. By the time I took pleco out he had left scratches on everyones bodies. Hope my interesting experiance with plecos helps.

I had a pleco in my tank. My pacu seemed really interested in it and my oscar didnt even pay attention to him. So i gifured he would be ok. WRONG. ext morning i go top check on them and he was dead they had mauled and killed him. Thats when i learned you cant always listen to the guy at the LFS.:angry: