Discus and plecos?

[komodo182]

Hello,
I am trying to understand if a myth is true or not. I did post this in the pleco section as well, but thought it might be wise to post something in this section.

I am debating about getting one or two clown plecos for my discus tank. A local pet store around me just brought in 2 beautiful 3-4 inch wild caught clown plecos and I really like them. After reading a bit about them, I think they will be fine in my tank, but I have always heard the myth, plecos will suck on the sides of fish, especially discus.
So I was wondering if any discus keepers have plecos, especially clown plecos, in their discus tank and if so, any troubles or is it smooth sailing?


Thanks

 

[rich_one]

Some plecos will do this, but not all. I don't know enough about clown plecos to say. I do know that BN plecos and rubberlip plecos do not do this. On a side not, I've had otos attack my discus this way also.

-Rich

 

[mqktandy]

Just keep the pleco's well fed and they should leave them alone

 

[Yellow_Perch]

thats half true some will and it also depends on if there hungry so theyll suck the slime coat off causing infection..

 

[komodo182]

Rich- I had the opposite problem with ottos. My discus ate the wild caught ottos I bought


mqktandy-those are my thoughts. I am sure a pleco would rather have an easy meal like veggie rounds or cucumber or zucchini or algae, than hunt down a fish.

 

[rich_one]

Rich- I had the opposite problem with ottos. My discus ate the wild caught ottos I bought


mqktandy-those are my thoughts. I am sure a pleco would rather have an easy meal like veggie rounds or cucumber or zucchini or algae, than hunt down a fish.

LOL... no offense to the otos... but I wish that was my problem! Things wouldn't stop attaching to my discus... they had to go!

-Rich

 

[komodo182]

LOL... no offense to the otos... but I wish that was my problem! Things wouldn't stop attaching to my discus... they had to go!

-Rich

Understandable. That would bug me too.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

My understanding is that as long as the fish have good food they will not start to suck slime, However, I have also been told that once they start to suck slime, they will always do so. maybe its addictive, I don't know.

As for keeping plecos with discus, many hypancistrus would work since they like similar temps and are meat eaters and should have no interest in slime.

 

[inssane]

Dwarf sized plecs are your best bet.
I had good luck with a Gold Nugg and 3 Discus.
So long as they don't get over 3" or so, you are on the safer side.

 

[crashwl21]

i have a vampire and clown, and a bristloe nose with no problems