What Is A Pleco?

A pleco fish is a bottom-feeding/algae-eating fish typically acquired for freshwater aquariums originally from South America.

They are those “sucker fish”.

Photo left: Trinidad (Common) Pleco

Plecos prefer warmer water and are pretty self-sufficient.

They eat the green algae in the tank and excess food off the bottom that the other fish can’t or don’t.

They clean when you don’t want to.

One of the girls at the pet store loved them, one hated them.

Why?
Well, the girl that loved them loved them for all the reasons I mentioned above plus they are laid back fish…They’ll find a small crevice or spot to hide during daylight and chill out. Then, they’ll come out at night and clean/eat, but keep to themselves.

The girl that hated them found that they grow very quickly and “when they poop, the pieces are long and stringy that float around the tank”.

The first girl never felt she had this problem with her plecos at home.

Personally, I went home to ponder these dilemmas, as I was preparing for a trip away from home for 1.5 weeks.

What Did I Do?
I got 1 very small pleco, the smallest one I could find, to assist with the cleaning of the tank while I was away.

Apparently, my mother says the tank looks immaculate…although I only have 1 goldfish in the 10 gallon tank with it.

* By The Way: The pleco did a wonderful job…no algae in site 1.5 weeks later! We named him Mr. Klean – Yes, another “K” name…LOL!

Loaches, also bottom feeders, are an option, but seem to bother the other fish in the tank, from my observations…They never stop moving around. They are “Old World” freshwater fish coming from riverine environments throughout Morocco and Eurasia.

Photo right: Batik Loach/Zodiac Loach

Let me know if you have a pleco or loach, and what you think about them as cleaners?

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I hope you enjoyed this Fish post on Exotic Animal Lover! Until next time…

Live Exotically,

Kimberly Edwards

P.S. There are a number of different plecos available, so you’re not just stuck with the common variety at every pet store…Check out this Tiger Pleco:

Tiger Pleco – L002 The Tiger Pleco is a suckermouth catfish that has an olive to tan body with black diagonal stripes. The scales are tough and armor-like, and the dorsal and pectoral fins have sharp rays or spines. Males develop hairlike growths on the pectoral fin rays. Specimens that display less distinct coloration are sometimes called L-074. They are also often called Peckoltia vermiculata, although this is incorrect. Tiger plecos are small loricarids that are well suited for both smaller and larger aquariums. They are peaceful and can be kept with most community species. Their main diet consists of wood, so having driftwood in the tank is essential. They will also eat some algae as well as sinking pellets. Tiger plecos are nocturnal and will require places to rest during the day. Provide hiding places using items such as driftwood and rocks. These fish are relatively hardy as long as good water quality is maintained. $14.99

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