Pair of plecos for a 10 gallon

[Stephen Zawacki]

Hi yall I have a 10 gallon water box cube and am thinking about breeding plecos are there any rare or unique plecos that I could have as a species only pair In the 10 gallon. And could live their entire life happy and healthy and grow to full size in a 10 gallon. 

Thx 

Stephen 

[Daniel]

The average lifespan of a plecos is 10 to 15 years. Are these going into the same tank as the Apistogramma?

[Guppysnail]

A pit bull pleco is the smallest I know of I think 2 inches.  To breed in a 10 though? I think most pleco have 60-120 fry. I am not an expert by any means but my BN pleco are poop machines and would kill a 10. Any pleco in a 10 I would only imagine daily huge water changes. Good luck though. I hope you get a good answer I have some 10s I wouldn’t mind a small plecos help in! 😁

[Stephen Zawacki]

No they would be going in a different 10 cube 

[laritheloud]

I'd stick to oto cats in a 10.

[laritheloud]

On 8/18/2021 at 8:00 PM, Tankseeker said:

@laritheloud I suppose it’s possible but still pushing it I think minimum breeding tank size should be a 20

I wasn't even thinking about breeding Otos, but yes, you're absolutely right. I wouldn't feel comfortable keeping a school of otos in a 10, personally ... I know they like company.

[laritheloud]

On 8/18/2021 at 8:03 PM, Tankseeker said:

@laritheloudohhh you meant just keeping them.. sorry bout that I tot you meant breeding them but yes you can keep otos ina 10 gallon,maybe use the 10 gallon as a grow out tank for plants?

OP was talking about breeding plecos so it was my bad for not clarifying, lol!

[Stephen Zawacki]

I've seen people on YouTube breeding them in a 10 even Dean has done it.

[Stephen Zawacki]

The two plecos would be the only thing in the tank also I would not do anything else in the tank.

[Stephen Zawacki]

https://aquanswers.com/small-pleco-species/

 

Read this article the first one it reccomneds can I do ? 

[Guppysnail]

Absolutely…3 work fine but not to breed. There are many you can keep but breeding…..Dean is a master fish guy so things he can do are not things average hobbiests can do.

[Stephen Zawacki]

Alrighty so I can do 3 gold spot dwarf plecos for life and be happy and healthy in the 10 for life.

 

Now what happens if they accidentally breed 

[Guppysnail]

That is something you must consider before purchasing any fish. You can remove any eggs and dispose of them or research breeding behavior etc. and you can have a spare tub/tote/tank cycled ready to go to raise them. Example…my BN just hatched in a 20long..I have 1 30 gallon tote ready and just bought a spare 20 gallon tote in case the 30 is not large enough. I have enough extra filters running in different tanks to accommodate and enough driftwood and plants for these. 

[Stephen Zawacki]

Ok so if I got a extra tank as back up if they Breed would that be good also could you answer my question previous.

 

[Guppysnail]

That was the answer to accidentally breeding.  I apologize if it was unclear. Before purchasing any fish be prepared for all outcomes. Research your fish it max size.  The article you posted said 3 can live in a 10 gallon. I hope that helps. 

[Stephen Zawacki]

Ok I have a question the ones I've been talking about the first one In the article at the bottom of talking about them their often labeled as dwarf pitbull plecos should I search that up for finding them online or the dwarf gold spot pleco because I can't find them anywhere online 

[Stephen Zawacki]

Ok one more question could I do also L 471 mini snow ball and do 3.

[Stephen Zawacki]

The same tank I was just wondering if they could also be in a 10 for life because I saw they get to about the same size as the dwarf gold spot ones I was talking about earlier 

[Guppysnail]

My suggestion is to spend time learning about each fish you think you may want. Their likes dislikes environment p/food/care needs. Breeding patterns when to remove eggs fry  if needed etc. in my experience just getting a fish because it fits in your tank is a very poor idea. I have many times wanted a certain fish..due to needs time requirements life span breeding numbers food preferences etc etc I decided they were not the correct fish to be in my care. Again just because they fit your tank does not mean they are the correct choice for you. Research many avenues books videos internet searches and learn about the fish 

[laritheloud]

I'm going to echo what @Tankseeker and @Guppysnail said and also add a reminder that the gold spot dwarf pleco is probably going to be quite difficult to source. I can't find it for sale anywhere reputable online, and I'm not sure an LFS will routinely get them in.

I would start with what is accessible to you, and then consider a fish that is realistic within your lifestyle, needs, and level of care you can provide. There are lots of wonderful nano fish that will live a happy life in a 10 gallon tank.

Edited August 19, 2021 by laritheloud

[Crabby]

To echo a few people who have already said something similar -

I don’t think it’s worth trying to push what you can put into the tank. It’s probably best to either go with something that will comfortably fit in the 10 gallon, or to get a larger tank if you’re set on keeping/breeding L number plecos.

[Stephen Zawacki]

I am currently keeping a reef tank, a discus tank and a spotted Congo puffer tank so I’m not a noob.  My next challenge was plecos and I’m going to be at college and I know plecos are hardy and realitevy easy to care for.  I was just wondering if the L 147s in a 10 was feasible without stressing the fish, and keeping them happy.

 

I was coming here because I know there are amazing people who are super advanced in the hobby and I was wanting their input also.

Edited August 19, 2021 by Stephen Zawacki

[Colu]

In my experience of keeping pleco the larger the tank the better some species of Otto's will do well in heavily planted 10 gallon with some species you have to take in to account territorial aggression  if I remember rightly L147 get to about 5.9in so I don't think they would be suitable long term in  a ten gallon 

[Stephen Zawacki]

https://aquanswers.com/small-pleco-species/
 

read this here he reccomeds them for 10 gallons, and he says they max out at 2.4 inches 

[lefty o]

if you just have to do it, i would not do a pair of bristlenose in a 10. the females run about 5", the males closer to 6", and they are poop monsters. i would not do anything bigger than clown or rubber lip. stick with ones that get no more than 3.5" or so. a 15 or 20 gal would ultimately be a better choice if you can go larger than 10.