Which pleco to get?

[stevenht]

My LFS just gave me some insider information about some new plecos being shipped here that they normally don't get.

I have a planted 20g high with driftwood and rock formations. It has floramax black substrate. The tank is cycled and has 3 Kuhli loaches, DG, and some bloodfin tetras.

She told me she doesn't know exactly what's being sent but she knows she's getting a gold nugget pleco.

I want a pleco that gets around 6 inches. I'm even open to a twig catfish. What's some of yalls plecos experience? I heard gold nuggets don't live very long at all.

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[shellyx]

I have longfin super red bristlenose plecos and love them! Great colour, good size and easy to care for. I also have had the bulldog pleco he was a neat little guy very active.
I'm not experienced with the gold nuggets but beautiful looking.
But remember plecos are poop machines Lol

70 gallon elephant nose tank.
30 gallon boraras , red longfin bristlenose, bamboo shrimp, crs,rcs and different snails.
7 gallon halfmoon betta and red ramshorn.

 

[absolutangel04]

There are several different plecos called "gold nugget." See if you can find the L number. They can reach a good 9 inches plus, so I don't think they are a good candidate for a 20g tank but if you can find out the L number of the species you will be able to get more exact info.
I have kept farlowella in the past and I really like them. They are just so cool to look at. I rarely saw much behavior, but still a gorgeous fish. They have a much smaller bioload than a pleco would. Farlowella seem to do better in cooler water, like the low 70s. They are not a fish for high heat. They also need good airflow and an aged tank. Frankly, I have not experienced them to be that hardy.
If you are willing to order online, check out the stock at The Wet Spot. They often get in amazing pleocs that I rarely see elsewhere. Or, see who your lfs orders from and if they can do a special order for you if the right thing isn't included in the shipment. There are some amazing varieties of bristle nose out there if you want something small and unique.

 

[stevenht]

I got a mustard spot. LD30 something A

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[stevenht]

My in laws have a 100 gallon at her shop and when it gets too big I'll move it there

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[absolutangel04]

Very cool. I have never kept one of those. Get some pictures if you can!

 

[Kribensis_2004]

If i where you i would try and get my hands on 1-3 Bristolnose Plecos they fit well into a twenty gallon aquarium, i would try first for three, for a set or group breeding project.

 

[stevenht]

Thanks for the reply krib, yeah I got a albino one yesterday! He's quite the active little guy too. Can you give me a timetable on growth for them? Everybody says plecos grow fast as all hell but this is my first one

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[Kribensis_2004]

Not really, I just know that they are a great little pleco to have in the aquarium.