which plecos eat wood? - Aquarium Advice

ringfinger · 02-23-2005, 02:21 PM

I have been reading up on this because I have driftwood in my aquarium, and I would't like to have to replace it regularly if I bought a Pleco. I know a couple of types DO eat driftwood, but I would most likely just get a Common Pleco. So if anyone has heard anything about their wood eating habits, then let me know. Thanks.

xray · 02-23-2005, 02:26 PM

What size tank do you have? Comons plecos can get pretty big.

Jchillin · 02-23-2005, 03:21 PM

Agreed - I have a sailfin pleco (A. Gibbiceps) which will can get to @ 8-14". I've never heard of a pleco that eats wood though.

fearlessfisch · 02-23-2005, 03:31 PM

i don't know which types need wood, but i have heard that some need to rasp on wood to aid digestion. i had a pleco die in my aquarium, and when i bought a second pleco i added driftwood to the tank, and this one has been thriving. but it could be a coincidence.

i wouldn't expect that any pleco would eat so much wood as to ruin your big pieces of driftwood. i have just a little piece of wood in my tank, and i see him on it a lot; however, i haven't noticed any real changes in its appearance or size. think they just graze on it.

Frank_the_Tank · 02-23-2005, 03:47 PM

clown plecos I believe

**An t-iasg** · 02-23-2005, 04:03 PM

I've only had a pleco and driftwood for about 2 months now, but I think fearlessfisch is right. I don't think a pleco would "eat" the whole piece of wood. They just rasp on it. The African driftwood description on DrsFosterSmith says it's several hundred years old, so I think it would last several years in your tank. I don't think you have to worry about replacing it regularly.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...+113714+113565

joedarat · 02-23-2005, 04:45 PM

yes clown plecos "eat" wood ..but like An T-iasg said, you wont need to worry about replacing wood for a very long time.

SerLunchbox · 02-23-2005, 07:17 PM

yeah ... The gold striped panaque (most panaques) eat wood first ... but they always will devour veggies and algae.

ringfinger · 02-23-2005, 07:45 PM

Thanks for the information. At the moment I have a 10 gallon with no inhabitants that is being treated for Ich and cycled, but the LFS has common Plecos that are no bigger than 2" which I will probably buy. I also plan on having a 55 or a 75 within a year or two to move him into when he grows larger.

Jchillin · 02-23-2005, 07:50 PM

I would research exactly what type of "common" pleco you are getting. Most or all LFS advertise their plecos as "common" but there is a world of difference between them.

Check http://www.planetcatfish.com for a more accurate description of the pleco you're thinking of getting.