Bristlenose plecos and phantom plecos DO NOT get along. At least not mine.

[Gannon]

A while ago I posted about putting my bristelnose with my phantom in my 125 gallon tank with lots of hiding spots. I was under the impression it would be alright with the tank volume and hiding places, but unfortunately it was not. Within 30 minutes they were at war and didn't stop for a second. The bristlenose in particular got her fins messed up something bad. Was a nightmare moving a baby pleco out of the bristlenoes' old tank and it led to a lot of aquascape and plant destruction catching fish out. Maybe its just these two species or these two individuals. But I am very disappointed and a lot of my plans are now shaken up. I guess its an excuse to sell my 5 gallon tanks and get another larger tank for this pleco. But figured I would share so as few people as possible share my fate, my mess, and my back pain after the fact haha. Things should be okay now that everyone's separated and back in their old homes, hopefully. 

Edited December 20, 2022 by Gannon

[DiscusLover]

On 12/19/2022 at 4:53 PM, Gannon said:

A while ago I posted about putting my bristelnose with my phantom in my 125 gallon tank with lots of hiding spots. I was under the impression it would be alright with the tank volume and hiding places, but unfortunately it was not. Within 30 minutes they were at war and didn't stop for a second. The bristlenose in particular got her fins messed up something bad. Was a nightmare moving a baby pleco out of the bristlenoes' old tank and it led to a lot of aquascape and plant destruction catching fish out. Maybe its just these two species or these two individuals. But I am very disappointed and a lot of my plans are now shaken up. I guess its an excuse to sell my 5 gallon tanks and get another larger tank for this pleco. But figured I would share so as few people as possible share my fate, my mess, and my back pain after the fact haha. Things should be okay now that everyone's separated and back in their old homes, hopefully. 

Plecos can be very territorial and putting a bn pleco in with the phantom pleco already marking its territory is not the smartest choice. 

[Gannon]

On 12/19/2022 at 7:42 PM, DiscusLover said:

Plecos can be very territorial and putting a bn pleco in with the phantom pleco already marking its territory is not the smartest choice. 

My thoughts exactly. I was told on here and at a convention though it would probably be okay. I wonder if i didn't properly clarify that the pleco was established in there. 

Either way, now I know first hand and everyone is totally okay now. 

Edited December 20, 2022 by Gannon

[rockfisher]

None of this will likey work if the phantom is an adult male. They can be terrors. Females are better than the males in phantoms. Males are crazy about there own species even. I would add many caves. It allows them to claim a cave or area.  I have several types the flower watering the D cave and stone rectangle. I like the D caves because they can fit into the color and scape of the aquarium. These ones that have these colors are on eBay but D caves are available all over. I have several and since they don’t stack I have plants growing on top of them Anubis glued on. 
my brittlenose really seem to like these the best. They stack ok but you may have to work on the back ends to level them after 3 or 4 levels. I use these 2 types in pleco only tanks or mostly pleco tanks. The last really seems to give the lots of room ans stop major aggression. There could always be some chasing other plecos out of a spot. Unless there as damage being done it’s not a major issue of a larger pleco chasing a smaller pleco out of its area. 

Next time you may want to try introducing them with egg crate or tank divider to get used to each other. I add new higher dollar plecos this way so there is not the introduction aggression. 
this is in a small tank than yours it’s 55g. I have done it the 125 I have, but I made an L shaped version and add most fish in the 125 just because I like it. But with some of these plecos being $500 a pair I take great care. I know you said the have lots of place to hide. There hiding spots should be caves that they can really get in and use there fins to hold themselves in those areas. I know you said you are going to keep. Them separated but if you try again maybe this will help. Plecos are my favorite fish

Edited December 20, 2022 by rockfisher

[DiscusLover]

On 12/19/2022 at 6:04 PM, Gannon said:

My thoughts exactly. I was told on here and at a convention though it would probably be okay. I wonder if i didn't properly clarify that the pleco was established in there. 

Either way, now I know first hand and everyone is totally okay now. 

You could try changing and moving things around in the tank with the fish out and then put them back in with the lights out and see if thats works. Not guaranteed though

[rockfisher]

I think the fact that he does have a phantom pleco and I would guess a male he can’t try this again. Maybe I mean shouldn’t. I think most plecos would work or if the phantom was the new fish maybe. 

[Gannon]

On 12/20/2022 at 9:01 AM, rockfisher said:

I think the fact that he does have a phantom pleco and I would guess a male he can’t try this again. Maybe I mean shouldn’t. I think most plecos would work or if the phantom was the new fish maybe. 

It is a juvenile and was smaller than the bristlenose, though both fish were aggressors, the phantom was very visibly aggressive. No idea if male or not though. 

On 12/19/2022 at 11:26 PM, DiscusLover said:

You could try changing and moving things around in the tank with the fish out and then put them back in with the lights out and see if thats works. Not guaranteed though

I just don't want to risk making a mess like this again, not worth the headache. 

On 12/19/2022 at 9:27 PM, rockfisher said:

None of this will likey work if the phantom is an adult male. They can be terrors. Females are better than the males in phantoms. Males are crazy about there own species even. I would add many caves. It allows them to claim a cave or area.  I have several types the flower watering the D cave and stone rectangle. I like the D caves because they can fit into the color and scape of the aquarium. These ones that have these colors are on eBay but D caves are available all over. I have several and since they don’t stack I have plants growing on top of them Anubis glued on. 
my brittlenose really seem to like these the best. They stack ok but you may have to work on the back ends to level them after 3 or 4 levels. I use these 2 types in pleco only tanks or mostly pleco tanks. The last really seems to give the lots of room ans stop major aggression. There could always be some chasing other plecos out of a spot. Unless there as damage being done it’s not a major issue of a larger pleco chasing a smaller pleco out of its area. 

Next time you may want to try introducing them with egg crate or tank divider to get used to each other. I add new higher dollar plecos this way so there is not the introduction aggression. 
this is in a small tank than yours it’s 55g. I have done it the 125 I have, but I made an L shaped version and add most fish in the 125 just because I like it. But with some of these plecos being $500 a pair I take great care. I know you said the have lots of place to hide. There hiding spots should be caves that they can really get in and use there fins to hold themselves in those areas. I know you said you are going to keep. Them separated but if you try again maybe this will help. Plecos are my favorite fish

Plecos are also among my favorites. Pleco cohabitation just isn't for me in this instance at least. 

[rockfisher]

On 12/20/2022 at 5:08 PM, Gannon said:

It is a juvenile and was smaller than the bristlenose, though both fish were aggressors, the phantom was very visibly aggressive. No idea if male or not though. 

I just don't want to risk making a mess like this again, not worth the headache. 

Plecos are also among my favorites. Pleco cohabitation just isn't for me in this instance at least. 

I agree @Gannonthis is probably not going to work with those fish. Plecos can mix but phantoms are hard to mixed even within their own species. I wouldn’t give up in other tanks if you want to try again with different L series #. It sound like you have a plan. If you have nice pics or just want to chat plecos I’m here. I’m hoping to add zebras to my breeding program soon. I have to decide weather I’m going to pay a ton for a breeding trio or order a bunch of small ones and wait the 24 + months for breeding. Hope things work now you have moved the one out.