Clown Pleco & Driftwood

[Saltair]

So i have been reading up on Clown Pleco's and have found online some info that wasn't in a book I had. All the info I am finding indicates that driftwood is critical for keeping these fish, not just for hiding but for food. Can they eat the typical pet store drift wood or do I need something special? Is there a way to keep them without driftwood? I wasn't planning on wood in this tank and with incomplete information, newbie mistake, I have one in a totally artificial tank. He has a great hiding place that he loves, but I dont want to deny critical nutrition. I aslo read they should from time to time be given meats. How do you do that? Can I just use sinking pellets? I could move him to a planted tank with store bought drift wood, but it has two cories in it, and I understand they dont always get along with cories and will tear up my plant. The Cories are spastic and all over the tank. I would rather not disrupt them. Advice?

 

[reefdiver]

i have one with 5 Cory's in a 46 GAL. the only thing they may be a little territorial of there hiding spot.

 

[WayBel2004]

I have a bristlenose pleco and didn't know about the driftwood. Is it necessary for the pleco?

 

[SeverumGuy]

My girlfriend has one in her 29g tank and she doesn't have any natural driftwood in her tank. He lives off the algae and does a pretty good job at cleaning. She hasn't had any problems

 

[CorporateGranola]

I have a clown pleco and he *loves* his driftwood. Based on what I've read they do require driftwood for complete nutrition. They might be able to survive without it, but not thrive. I would ere on the side of caution and put some driftwood in the tank. The piece I used it rather small measuring about 7 inches across and 3-4 inches deep. Clown plecos max out at around 4-5 inches. Hope this helps.

-=CG=-

 

[CorporateGranola]

Source: Clown Pleco

Always include plenty of driftwood in the set up; it will function as both food and shelter. In the wild, Clown plecos spend most of their time inside driftwood tangles in the main river channels.

 

[Saltair]

This is one of the articles I read. Is pet shop driftwood ok? I wonder if it has been treated something that they shouldn't eat.