RIP pleco :(

[Critter1990]

I woke up this morning to find just the head of my common Pleco left lol idk what got into my jack but for the past 4 months they have been fine together. I guess she just had enough of his crap!

 

[HUKIT]

Yes that sucks but get used to it, that's one of the downsides of housing somewhat aggressive fish in a glass box.

 

[Critter1990]

Yea I know, I was waiting for it to happen anyway! Now what should I do for a bottom/algae eater??

 

[HUKIT]

Yea I know, I was waiting for it to happen anyway! Now what should I do for a bottom/algae eater??

How about one of these? At least it won't be killed, if he's already killed one chances of another working is slim.

 

[Convict2161]

How about one of these? At least it won't be killed.

Aren't they aggressive though?

You can get a Synodontis but nothing is set in stone so I've learned. Every tank is different, every tank personality is different and you should know what will work and what won't.

 

[Critter1990]

Hahaha I already have one of them. I've always wanted a tiger Oscar. ?

 

[HUKIT]

Hahaha I already have one of them. I've always wanted a tiger Oscar. ?

Just messing with you, what size tank is it again?

 

[Critter1990]

Lol that was a good one. It's a 55g but very spacious and open

 

[Convict2161]

Oscars get big and have a big bio load most will say 75 gallons for just one.

 

[Critter1990]

I hear you. I have an ac110 with 2 AC50s so I'm good in that department. I've seen very healthy oscars before in a 55g.

 

[Convict2161]

I hear you. I have an ac110 with 2 AC50s so I'm good in that department. I've seen very healthy oscars before in a 55g.

I'll let HUKIT touch more on that. He knows a lot more then I do lol. He's helped me out more then few times. And sometimes he doesn't even know it. Just read he's posts and you'll have a wealth of knowledge. But I think a 55 would be too small IMO. They may "look" healthy but are they really? And are they happy? I guess either way you look at it there in a fish tank and not out in the wild but ya try and get as close as you can to give them what they need to thrive.

 

[Critter1990]

Yea your right, I'm just always trying to do something new with the tank lol

 

[HUKIT]

Lol that was a good one. It's a 55g but very spacious and open

If your looking for tank mates then the Oscar would be fine for a few months but long term it's not a good choice. I'd look at something that stays in the 4-6" range and can handle a aggressive JD. Something in the archocentrus, cryptoheros, or thorichthys genus would a good starting point.

 

[josh7]

Please don't get an Oscar IMO the minimum is a 75 gallon with 1-2 small tankmates but for a jack and Oscar I would go with no less than a 6 foot 125 gallon. For your tank now I would just get a con makes great jack Dempsey tankmate at least for me it did.

 

[Critter1990]

Think I could put a young con with my 4in female jack??

 

[josh7]

Yah I would say go for it get like a 3 inches or so and mix up your decorations a bit and you should be perfectly fine.

 

[Critter1990]

Where would I be able to get one that's already that much grown?

 

[josh7]

Well most lfs's carry ones like that size even 1.5 inch should do ok.

 

[Critter1990]

You dont think the jack would eat it lol?

 

[HUKIT]

You dont think the jack would eat it lol?

Yes I do, if it killed a pleco who was not challenging what do you think he's do to a small dempsey. There are some fish that refuse tankmates, I have one. Plus a 55g does not really offer enough of a retreat to get away from aggressive cichlid. I would look into something like a Amatitlania nigrofasciata, they are fiesty, stay relatively small, and can handle themselves.