Trevor Stenson wrote:
The rainbow shark will also prob get a bit aggro.



you got some time, but yes he will out grow that tank, mine is in a 39 gl
and I have had him for a while, so I would not worry yet, but its best if
they have room as they get bigger, I think its about a foot they grow to
maybe a little more, you said he was a common pl*co right? One more thing
someone said about the poop, just use a vacuum, it is usually strung all
over the tank or in a place where they spend there time, just vacuum or net
the poop and it should not cause to much problem, they help more then hurt.
Nik


Yes a common Pleco I believe.

Thanks all for the advice. Yes the shark has gotten somewhat big as
well and a bit feisty, but has doesn't bother any of the fish I have now
too much - as in distressing them or hurting them. I have tones of
hiding spaces (cave and plants as well). He is alsolutely the alpha
fish, although the Betta pair keep him in-line.

I do know that he won't tolerate any small or pesky fish (tetras), or
anymore crowding - my tank is at its limit and is relatively placid as
is, especially considering my choice of fish.

Odd (with the shark) as I expected, naively, that he would behave like
the red-tailed shark I had as a youth: that one didn't grow very large
and was extremely gentle.

I'd never want to flush a healthy live fish, and since I have no friends
with aquariums, I'll probably see if my favorite fish specialty store
will adopt the Pleco if/when he gets to big for the tank.

Are there any recommended algae-eaters that won't turn into Godzilla?

That is what I'll go for next time if I have to put the Pleco up for
adoption.

Thanks again,

Trev


If you are keen on plecs you could go for one of the smaller ones - I
have a Queen Arabesque and a Snowball (can't remember their L numbers).
They cost quite a bit more but don't grow so big...One of our regular
posters, Koi-Lo, has Clown Plecs I believe - again they do not grow so
large...and are cheaper than the two that I have.

Other alternatives for algae eaters off the top of my head, would be,
Otos, SAE's (Siamese Algae Eaters), lyre tail mollies (sp).....I'm sure
others can add to this list...

Gill