Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I would love to get an algea eater for our new tank. However our RES have become accustomed to a tank without, and they know that anything living in the tank is rare and food related. I know that placos have tough backs, but I'm afraid my turtles will either hurt him or hurt themselves. Has anyone had any experience with this? Can anyone recommend a particular breed of placo that would best work?

Thanks in advance,
Devin

Let's just say Red, my RES really enjoys those $2.00 snacks. I have had about three plecos in there with him and they have ended dead. One was half eatten one I tried to say for Red's mouth but it later dead. So it is up to you. Take care Shannon

if you have a large enough "tank"say 75-90 gallons & up then keeping a slider & a pleco should pose no problems.there are,however,a couple of conditions.first i would skip the dinky 2-3 inch babies.if you have a good local pet store than most likely,sooner or later,someone will"trade in"a larger plec.6 inches or more.the fish needs to be of enough size to push the turtle back if it(the turt)gets pushy.another thing.your plec will need a couple of hides in the tank.1/2 sections of pvc pipe will give the fish a place to rest & not allow the turt access.because the turt is diurnal & the plec is nocturnal they won't interact a whole lot.
i have successfully kept large plecs with pirhana before.as long as the turt is well fed then they should be able to co-exist.just try to get a big pleco!