Can a pleco disrupt mouth brooder breeding?

[bettaMagenta]

I'm currently running a breeding group of Tilapia and as part of my cleanup crew, I've got a medium-large common pleco that's doing an amazing job keeping the glass clean. He's been with my "ammonia crew" for a while now, and I've noticed he doesn't bother even the smaller tetras. I've been thinking of moving him to the breeding tank, but I'm not sure if he'd disrupt the mating process. Would he mess with my Tilapia, or just stick to his algae-eating duties?

[TankWarrior]

I think your pleco would be fine in the breeding tank. They're pretty low-key, hide most of the day, and only come out to eat at night. Just make sure there's some decent hiding spots, like plants or something. I've got a 7-year-old pleco that's still pretty small, he's got a favorite spot in some Anubias near a pile of rocks. He only comes out late in the day, a couple times a week. As long as your pleco's got some places to hide, I don't think he'll bother your tilapia or disrupt the mating.