What's like a pleco, but not a pleco

[black udder]

I have 3 common pleco's that I have to give up (they're too big for my tank - 40g). However, I just love to watch them. I love it when they extend their fins.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anybody knows of a replacement (obviously smaller) that I could put into the tank instead of them. I'm hoping a local store will allow a trade. I've seen lots of the other pleco's, but nothing in person - and pictures don't tell the whole story.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

 

[Drake]

You could get a smaller species of a pleco such as the bristlenose which only gets around half a foot or so.

 

[Fluff]

I agree there are several commonly available smaller species of pleco. I have spotted bulldog/rubberlipped, bristlenoses, clowns and pittbulls, all of which would do well in a 40g tank. There are some other suckermouth cats as well, like ottos, that you could look into.

 

[xray]

everyone like ottos

 

[QTOFFER]

Any of the dwarf plecos mentioned would be good. A good place to look for pleco profiles is Planetcatfish.com .

 

[FishLover14]

Any Of The Smaller Plecos are an excellent choice, BushyNose, Clown, Rubberlip, Bulldog, They are stay under 6 inches.

 

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Clown's are Panaques and require driftwood in the tank, and if you have an Acrylic tank I would not recommend them.. (could rasp the finish off the tank)

But the others mentioned are great plecs.

Panaques from what I understand do not eat algae. (such as royal's and other panaques)

 

[SerLunchbox]

if you want to get another pleco i would go the route of a bristlenose or rubbermouthed pleco. If you want something else they go with a farrowella catfish. Thy are supposedly great algae eaters and are quite interesting to look at.

 

[black udder]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I have two golden algea eaters, so I'm not concerned about algea at this point. I just like to watch them. They're so unlike the other fish in the tank. I'd watch my catfish, but they're all hidden

 

[aquazen]

I've got a clown pleco in my 10 gallon. He does fine. Just sits under the tree stump and scares away any fish that get too close.

 

[Menagerie]

Love the small varieties of plecos!

 

[oscarbreeder]

What about Cory Cats?

They are really fun to watch IMO.
I have two in my 10 gallon tank.