I just got a new goldie and while I was at the store I bought a pleco. I don't know what kind it is, they didn't have labels for them. But I am worried about my goldfish's safety. My fish have been nipping at him, but it has almost stopped now. Last night I saw the pleco swim after my moore and nip at him. Luckily he could not catch up. But it was scary. I imediatly got the pleco out of the tank. As of now he is in a bowl. I have given him partial water changes twice. What can I do? If I can't keep him in the tank because of the behavior, could he can go into my pond with my two koi and fantail? Please help!

sounds like you have a common plec and they wont stop harrassing your fish, best to take him back

I agree with Sandy.I'd return him and tell the LFS that he was harassing your other fish and that you can't keep him.It's really important to do research on these Pleco's before you buy them so something like this doesn't happen.Hopefully your LFS will be understanding and will take him back from you.

I did research. I just didn't know what kind they were. Can he go in my pond?
The store I got him from is an hour away, so I don't think I could take him back. My parents wouldn't take me. Could he go with a betta?
And what should I do with him for now? He is only a few inches long. I can't leave him in the bowl for to long.

Mariah, as the others stated it is best he not be in with any gf. Even in the pond he will cause problems. But you are right he can't stay in the bowl. Depending on the size of the pond it may be best to put him there until you can get rid of him.........but beware he may hurt or kill one of the fish.
Anyway you can move the pond fish until you can get rid of him?

ooooooh i know why dont you give him to a friend or someone!

i have 2 pleco in my tank..ones 7-8 inches long, the other 3-4. i never had a problem with them. they get along just fine. my pleco just sit around all day doing pretty much nothing while my goldfish swims around them. if anything, i think my goldfish bullys them because they push my plecos outta the way.

Yeah, there was a cousin of mine that had 3 giant Goldfish with 1 giant Pleco. There was never a problem for any of them. I find it shocking that people are recommending not to have Pleco with Goldfish.

I can't move my fish out of my pond. The pond is about 80-100 gallons. It is really full,I mean FULL of algea. Do you think if I put him in there that he will have so much food that he won't bother my fish?
And the pond usually freezes over in the winter, will it kill the pleco?
How could he kill my fish? Need help asap. Thanks
He is doing fine now in the bowl. Acting normal at least. I change his water at least four times a day.

Are you sure it was a common pleco and not one of the other kinds that is safe to use with goldfish?

Our LFS sold us a Chinese Sucker Loach and boy he got really territorial after a few weeks, we didn't know what was going on at first (was kind of cute because the goldies would follow him around like "what are you doing!!!" all the time and he'd chase them off occasionally) but it was so bad that we took him back (after asking advice from the LFS) and used the money to buy some more tap water conditioner for the poor little dears.

So watch how you go with anything like that, those poor goldies can dish out a lot of harrassment but not take it unfortunately

How could my common pleco hurt my goldfish?

There is a pinned topic on the compatible fish forum about it here

I also bought a pleco when I bought my goldfish and pretty soon the pleco chased and sucked the slime coat off my goldfish til he died...I didn't know this could happen (my very first fish) but I stay far away from pleco's now...instead use snails to clean.