Figure-Eight Puffer

[Drake]

What would be considered a "pleco" for a brackish tank? Like a good bottom feeder that helps keep the tank clean. And would get along well with a figure-eight puffer.

 

[Menagerie]

[center:e6888a2f43] Welcome to AA, Drake! [/center:e6888a2f43]
I have yet to find a "brackish pleco." From what I understand, part of why BW tanks are not popular is the lack of algae eating finned friends :?

I do weekly or biweekly PWC while vacuuming the gravel for my BW tank and use an algae sponge to wipe away the algae.

 

[amphibianboy528]

I saw a sight that said that the diamond killifish would be a good algea grazer and also mollies but I don't know if they would og good with figure 8 puffers.

 

[LittlePuff]

Neither would.


Kim

 

[cdawson]

What would be considered a "pleco" for a brackish tank? Like a good bottom feeder that helps keep the tank clean. And would get along well with a figure-eight puffer.

Sorry, you have to do your own algae cleaning. Puffers aren't very big on having tankmates. Figure eights are pretty docile, but like any puffer they're un-predictable and can strike at any moment.

I personally don't have a problem with algae in my 135g brackish tank, but dissolved solids are a problem. If you're getting a brackish tank I highly suggest using a protein skimmer, even on the low end.

 

[Pufferpunk]

There are no algae-eaters that can live in salty water.

 

[madasafish]

Yeah, Plecos (Loricariids) come from quite high elevations, generally, and rivers in the interior of the continent (SA)--so not very near to the ocean at all. Consequently, they do not tolerate salt. I have heard that the hardier Hypostomus plecostomus can sometimes tolerate salt in their water, but I strongly urge you not to try this, as they really are FW fish, and will almost certainly die.

It's a conundrum, alright. :?