TheRedKing Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Are there any small (less than 15 cm) plecos which are as active as bristlenoses + won't cost an arm and a leg? I like the look of peppermints but apparently they are extremely shy compared to bristlenoses. Anyway, thanks for you time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Tschumy Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Sailfin, goldspots, common or albino plecos are the cheapest usually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanesFish Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 What makes you need a pleco..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneself Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'd reccomend orange spots, bout halfway between bn and goldspots. They are shy when they're small though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_ Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Pleco is Greek for Poo Machine Daily vacuuming awaits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiziri Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 We have a Gold Spot about 25cm give or take. We paid about $75 I think (discounted a little as we rescued him from a shop where he was being nibbled at). He is usually quiet until feed time then he turns into an ogre and chases the BGK's up and down the tank whey they go near his food cave. He doesn't hide a lot and is quite adventurous. Ventus is right though ... poo machine ARGH! Hope this helps. Cheers Cammy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedKing Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 What makes you need a pleco..? To me they are an awesome fish, every aspect of them apart from their excreting habits. I can't wait to prepare some zuccini for them and just watch! I suppose everyone has their fish they like, I just gravitate towards these ones. My tank is 200 litres (120cm x 45cm x 25cm) and I am planning to have a couple of plecos and a school of corydoras as my bottom feeders. I want to have 8-10 black phantom tetras and also 8-10 of another tetra species or maybe cherry barbs. I feel like there should be more to the tank, a couple of larger fish which are personable, like a couple of pearl gouramis but I don't know that can be for another thread to discuss unless some of you have some suggestions. With the plecos I am leaning towards bristlnoses, purely because they are not gigantic and are fairly active when the lights are on as opposed to every other species hiding. I'll get them when they are juveniles, I am thinking 4 of them to start off with from different blood lines and when I get another tank in about 6-10 months move out a couple so its just a pair. Opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) What makes you need a pleco..? Pleco is Greek for Poo MachineDaily vacuuming awaits Two very sensible posts. Why do you need an algae eating catfish? If there was a smaller catfish that ate algae, it would be more popular than bristlenose. Tell us about your set up, so we're a bit me informed about what you "need". Ooops, this is what happens when you try and watch t.v. and post on the forum. You get left behind. Edited October 7, 2013 by pk333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedKing Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Two very sensible posts.Why do you need an algae eating catfish? If there was a smaller catfish that ate algae, it would be more popular than bristlenose. Tell us about your set up, so we're a bit me informed about what you "need". Ooops, this is what happens when you try and watch t.v. and post on the forum. You get left behind. I have no real purpose for them apart from being a pet, plecos are probably my favourite type of fish. Plecos take a while to sexually mature and if I will be waiting for 1-2 years I may as well get a pleco which can sell for a bit of money when breeding comes around. But bristlenose seem to win as they are active and will make for a lively addition to the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 O.K. my suggestion, Royal Whiptails. Otherwise, L397 is a purty vegetarian to start with. Much cheaper to buy from a private breeder. Look out for when forum member ssdiscus posts for sale adds, he sells some of the best juvenile peppermint bristlenose going, and at very reasonable prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedKing Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 O.K. my suggestion, Royal Whiptails. Otherwise, L397 is a purty vegetarian to start with. Much cheaper to buy from a private breeder. Look out for when forum member ssdiscus posts for sale adds, he sells some of the best juvenile peppermint bristlenose going, and at very reasonable prices. Whiptails look awesome! Back to the drawing board I go XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 My experience, Corydoras like to be in large schools, I call them gangs. A gang of Corydoras. One of my favourites is C. trilineatus, but there are many more cool looking Corydoras available in Australia now. I also like C. metae. In a four foot tank I would look to keep somewhere between 6 and 12 Corydoras of one species. I'm not keen on the idea of keeping a school of barbs with a school of tetra. My gut says the barbs will out compete the tetras. I'd rather keep two medium size schools of tetras, with 12 to 18 individuals in each school. Black phantoms are such a nice tetra and I would look for a species of tetra that compliments but offsets the Black phantoms colour. My personal favourites are Lemon tetras. Lemon Tetra photo - clippo photos at pbase.com As for larger fish, I'd stick with the South American theme, and consider a species of dwarf cichlid, and possibly some wild type Angels if you can afford them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedKing Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Would my tank (200 liters 120cm x 45cm x 35cm) be bug enough for 2 whiptails? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Would my tank (200 liters 120cm x 45cm x 35cm) be bug enough for 2 whiptails? Well if you're not stocking any plecos, I'd look at 4 or 6 Royal whiptails. What type of Aquascape are you planning? The whiptails and tetras would prefer a planted tank, even if it's a low light, basic set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedKing Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Well if you're not stocking any plecos, I'd look at 4 or 6 Royal whiptails.What type of Aquascape are you planning? The whiptails and tetras would prefer a planted tank, even if it's a low light, basic set up. Whiptails can get quite long can't they? I am thinking 2 bristlenose, 2 whiptails (open to having more but I quite like the bristlenoses). Instead of cherry barbs I will go with black neons or emperor tetras (if I can find them), I'll ditch the idea of the peal gouramis because I may as well make it south american as you say. There are several caves, several pieces of driftwood, large amount of rocks, and lots of plants. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedKing Posted October 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 Also filtration is an Eheim 2217 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pk333 Posted October 7, 2013 Report Share Posted October 7, 2013 2 Bristlenose and 2 Royal whiptails is fine. Emperor tetras are another very good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRedKing Posted October 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 2 Bristlenose and 2 Royal whiptails is fine.Emperor tetras are another very good choice. Alright, stocking plan is this: -2 Bristlenose -2 Whiptail -6 Sterbai Cories -10 Emperor Tetras -10 Black Phantom Tetras -(I still feel like something else for the mid-top are as a centrepiece, although whatever it is will be added last so I might change my mind when I get all of these fish in there) Just tested my water, nitrites & ammonia are 0, nitrates about 25 so it is now cycled. In what order would you propose I add these fish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beencees Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 Looks like i'm a bit late on this thread but my first suggestion was also going to be Royal Whips. Striking fish that is peaceful and active all day. No problems with housing 4 easily in a 4 foot tank along with the other fish you've mentioned. Another algae eating fish with a difference is Sewellia lineolata. Gorgeous little guys that are very entertaining to watch and active all day long even in the brightest of tanks. I have more of both of these almost up to saleable size atm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoilingPoint Posted October 26, 2013 Report Share Posted October 26, 2013 I love the Bristlenoses. They're beautiful especially the Albino Longfin ones. although the Commons seem to come out a lot more. Mine seem to know when it's dinner time and will come out around that time (As if to say get off your lazy butt and come feed us!!) and then they'll pop in and out throughout the day/night. Also I've heard if you feed the Albino's or lighter coloured species of Bristlenose (Like L144's) Pumpkin, they turn an amazing orange colour. Although I speak from VickiSam101's experience there, not mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
