Are bristlenose plecos compatible with other fish?

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Aquafan
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Are bristlenose plecos compatible with other fish?

Post by Aquafan »

I've got a 35 gallon tank, 3ft long, with a Kribensis pair, 7 Venezuelan Corys, 10 diamond tetras, and 1 angelfish. The kribs breed, but I haven't seen them go after the angelfish - and the angelfish isn't aggressive towards any other fish. The kribs do chase the Corys and tetras, but they're fast enough to get away. I'm thinking of adding some L397 plecos, but I'm worried about overstocking the bottom level with the kribs and Corys. Maybe 3 plecos would work, but I'm not sure.
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belleora
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Re: Are bristlenose plecos compatible with other fish?

Post by belleora »

I think you might be overestimating the bottom layer's capacity, especially with kribs and cories that don't really grasp territory boundaries. Three plecos in a 35g tank seems pretty tight, especially considering the potential for two males and a female - they still need their own space, and they'll add a lot to the tank's bioload. Are you planning on breeding them? I'm no pleco expert, my experience is limited to my two L181s, but I figured I'd chime in and bump this thread in hopes of getting more feedback. Maybe @Snout can offer some insight, they seem pretty knowledgeable about plecos.
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barbie
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Re: Are bristlenose plecos compatible with other fish?

Post by barbie »

I'd agree it's too risky to add plecos with a breeding pair of kribs in a 35g tank. The cories are agile and can dodge the kribs, but plecos are a different story - they can be quite clumsy and will likely cause stress to the kribs as they bash about searching for food.
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belleora
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Re: Are bristlenose plecos compatible with other fish?

Post by belleora »

barbie wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2024 7:02 pm I'd agree it's too risky to add plecos with a breeding pair of kribs in a 35g tank. The cories are agile and can dodge the kribs, but plecos are a different story - they can be quite clumsy and will likely cause stress to the kribs as they bash about searching for food.
I'm not familiar with kribs, but I do have cories and I wish they could learn to avoid trouble like the ones in your tank. My bronze cories are a lively bunch, but not the sharpest tools in the shed, if you know what I mean. I adore them, but they seem like the lovable, goofy cousins of the corydoras family - always bouncing around, but not always the most aware of their surroundings.
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