General Care Discussion :: Algae Eaters?

[alkaiser]

Is it okay to introduce plecostomus Algae Eaters into my young turtles environment? (30 gallons)

He doesn't snap at them and I think he enjoys the company.

I also know that they get very big, but if they get too big to handle I'll just get them a new home or a seperate tank.

[alkaiser]

I think I have my turtles health problems under control (BTW)

He has shown no new symptoms of fungus, mucous, or otherwise. So I thought it would be a good time to liven up his living conditions, maybe even get a new filter.

Can algae eaters be beneficial in this manner? (Cleaning)

[sonyj]

I've had one in with Koopa since I got him back in the summer and he's still there and doing good. But all turtles are different. Where one turtle may accept something else in their tank, another might not. So you should always keep in the back of your mind that it's possible that it could be eaten.

[alkaiser]

I've had one in with Koopa since I got him back in the summer and he's still there and doing good. But all turtles are different. Where one turtle may accept something else in their tank, another might not. So you should always keep in the back of your mind that it's possible that it could be eaten.

My turtle must be on some kind of fish-less diet. I've never seen him eat fish before, especially not one as big as a pleco.

[alkaiser]

I found the following article on the subject:

Here

[sonyj]

That's a good article. I've also noticed our pleco cleaning Koopa's shell like it described under the Chinese algae eater section. Koopa must like it because he stays perfectly still while the pleco is there.

[khobbs]

I have already had 2 plecos in with my turtles and they have killed both of them, unfortunately. But I keep guppies in my tank and they provide plenty of exercise and food, and help keep the tank clean. I wish my turtles weren't so aggressive with the fish. Maybe when they are older I will try again.

[jeggy]

every live creature that i have put in my tank with my turtle thats have the size of him, my turtle has eaten. only the fish that are the same length as my turtle are still alive. ...but i just saw my turtle try to take a nip at one of the bigger fish in the tank the other day.

[kneecole]

I introduced a pleco to my guys a couple months ago and the turtles were terrified of him! They attempted to investigate him but as soon as it moved the turtles freaked out!

I think size has a lot to do with it. I'd say make sure the pleco is atleast the same size if not bigger than your turts. My turts and the pleco were all about 2 inches when I got it.

They've all been getting along fine. And I've even watched the pleco clean one of the trutles shells like sonyj said.

[blaydes]

I just had my algae fish albert eaten just the other day . i was actually kind of attached to the fish, but i knew that he would be eaten sooner or later, and the fish really didnt do a very good job of keeping the tank clean.

[daredevilgirl013]

I just got one today, he's bigger than Michelangelo so I'm hoping Michelangelo won't eat him since he won't eat any of the guppies I have in the tank. But what I am hoping for is that Michelangelo will think he is another big snail and stay away from him.

BUt I also bought some ghost shrimp to distract him since he likes those.