Hi
So I just got this little pleco (about 2") last month and I put him in with my three fancy GF (about 3" wo/tail) and now I see that this is not a good idea...why? Also, maybe connected, my one GF (the one with the biggest tail) has come down with fin rot? maybe, basically red veins are showing up on his tail...any ideas. Thanks
Full Version: Why No Pleco With Gf?
Well the reason behind common plecos being bad with gf are they get to big and have been known to suck on the gf, causing lots of problems.
Now there are people here who keep them together and have not had problems.
I don't do this, I don't want to take a chance on them hurting my gf.
Rubberlips and Bristlenose plecos are ok, so if you don't care what kind of pleco is in your tank, you may be better off with one of those.
If you decide to keep your common pleco just be careful and remove him if you see any strange behavior.
Now on for problems with your GF. You may get a better response if you post that question in the diagnosis section. People may miss it here.
I'm not sure what red in the tails are a symptom of. Have you tested your water lately, that may give you some hints.
Laurie
Now there are people here who keep them together and have not had problems.
I don't do this, I don't want to take a chance on them hurting my gf.
Rubberlips and Bristlenose plecos are ok, so if you don't care what kind of pleco is in your tank, you may be better off with one of those.
If you decide to keep your common pleco just be careful and remove him if you see any strange behavior.
Now on for problems with your GF. You may get a better response if you post that question in the diagnosis section. People may miss it here.
I'm not sure what red in the tails are a symptom of. Have you tested your water lately, that may give you some hints.
Laurie
Welcome nxumdon. 
Yes, the common can be fine for years then get hungry and suck out a goldfish eye! It does happen
Anyhow, you may be able to return your pleco since you just got him. The gf produce a lot of waste anyhow, so they can use more room anyhow. Hope that helps.
Yes, the common can be fine for years then get hungry and suck out a goldfish eye! It does happen
Anyhow, you may be able to return your pleco since you just got him. The gf produce a lot of waste anyhow, so they can use more room anyhow. Hope that helps.
So agree.
Common Pleco's grow to about 12" long, When they are babies (which most people see in the LFS) they are herbivores, then when they reach the 4-6" mark they become more hungry and going to the omnivores stage and unfortunately the goldfish's slim coat is a great source of food. Now if a goldfish is a slow mover or is slightly sick the Pleco doesn't know better and will try to attack the fish out of fish behavior.
Pleco's also need wood and lots of hiding places, they are a nite time animal so you don't see them much during the day time, so most people don't know what there pleco is really doing.
I have been one of those people that had one with my goldfish and he dragged down a 6" goldfish my pleco was only 4" long so it doesn't matter about the size of the pleco, more the temper of the pleco
Common Pleco's grow to about 12" long, When they are babies (which most people see in the LFS) they are herbivores, then when they reach the 4-6" mark they become more hungry and going to the omnivores stage and unfortunately the goldfish's slim coat is a great source of food. Now if a goldfish is a slow mover or is slightly sick the Pleco doesn't know better and will try to attack the fish out of fish behavior.
Pleco's also need wood and lots of hiding places, they are a nite time animal so you don't see them much during the day time, so most people don't know what there pleco is really doing.
I have been one of those people that had one with my goldfish and he dragged down a 6" goldfish my pleco was only 4" long so it doesn't matter about the size of the pleco, more the temper of the pleco
ive seen ignorant chinese restaurants keep plecos in with goldfish and months later you see the goldfish wounded...
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