Other Turtle Discussion :: Pleco

[TexasJagsFan]

I've got a question....

Just last weekend I did a complete full clean on my aquarium. I had a real bad algae problem on the rocks below the two lights and against the glass walls. I was thinking, and I thought I never really had the problem until I started losing all my feeder fish and I never replaced them.

To try and combat the problem, I'm going to keep to 3 to 4 dozen guppies stocked at all times. I also thought about adding a small pleco (yes I realize they can grow large, as did my now 12 inch pleco). Has there have been any cases where the pleco attaches itself onto the turtle and causes damages, or is it just a myth? I know the pleco's I've had have never done anything like that with my fish or frogs.

Thanks

[jenaero]

I have seen that on one occasion but the turtle was a Softshell. That's probably the only reason it did damage. And it was pretty grizzly. The other chance you're taking is that the pleco could get eaten by the turtle....that's no fun to watch and it's a slow, painful death for the poor fish. Not to mention the incredible mess you'll have in your tank.

[missibsu]

I got a pleco and kept a very watchful eye...within two hours the pleco was removed. I couldn't stand to watch the turts pick at him. He now resides in my breeder tank. I move the occassional item from tank to the other for a nightly cleaning though. That just leaves the walls for me to clean, lol.

[TexasJagsFan]

Well I got my pleco on Saturday so far, so good. I was watching a little bit tonight, one time when I turtle swam by the pleco flew out of there. Then another time the turtle stared at the pleco but didn't make a move. I've been watching now, and she swims right by the pleco without batting an eyelash.

This pleco is real small too, maybe about 3 inches, wish I could get one like the 12 inch one I have. I also got a bundle of anacharis(spell check) when I was there. What a mess, in three days most of its gone, and there is abunch attached to the intake tubes of the two filters I have.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I have never put a pleco (or any other kind of algea eater) in the tank with my RES because she (quite literally) eats anything that isn't bolted down! LOL.

I swear that turtle acts like I never feed her. Yeesh.

[gammeragirl]

I was thinking of getting a pleco too, but my turtle (her name is Sheba too) is a true glutton. She would try and eat the pleco for sure, unless maybe it was a good size? I keep the tank pretty clean of algae, so I'm not sure the fish would have enough food. Can anyone tell me if they eat fish food too, besides algae?

[johann's mom]

we have 2 large plecos in our 55 gallon along with 2 turtles and 2 oscars. we recently adopted 2 other little turtles....one of ours we even rescued from the wild...only the oscars have ever attacked the pleco,and they've only done this when they were hungry. our turtles were already used to eating feeder fish and still do without bothering the plecos which we got from petsmart(the biggest they had...maybe 4 in when we got them,huge now)

[missibsu]

Do you have all of your turts in the same set up? Sounds like you have your hands full! Welcome to the forum too!

[johann's mom]

yep,they're all together....which is why we felt the need for 2 plecos...they eat the leftover food that falls to the bottom(when the turtles dont' dig it up for themselves) and we don't have any algae...we got them just around march and they are HUGE now...they save us from a dirty tank!

[missibsu]

If the new turts are smaller then you may want to keep a careful eye on them. Sometimes the larger turts can becomes aggressive towards the little ones and hurt them...or do so unintensionally.

Also, new turts should be quarantined before placing them in an existing set up. Just to be sure they don't transport any illnesses to your healthy turts. Although, that information is a bit belated...or maybe you have already been through this?

[johann's mom]

thanks...hehe,we did kinda go thru it...they were adopted from a close relative who couldn't take care of them anymore...they were in a small container with no light...when we feed them all and put feeder fish in there,the smallest turtle pushes everyone out of the way! we did make sure they looked healthy and were clean before putting them in there...thank you tho,that is important info for anyone adding a new turtle...we've had to keep a close eye on them.

[missibsu]

Good Call on the rescue, I'm sure they are much happier!