The Puffer Forum

I fear I have made a mistake, but it is one that can be corrected without hurting any fish yet.
I am currently setting up a larger tankk (4ft) for my SAPs, so that they have a longer length to swim in. I will also get some more (giving me a total of 5/6). I have 10 otos and 2 queen arabesque plecos.
I always knew that the plecos were going to be shy, but I have read that they do best in temps between 28-30C and that SAPs only do well in temps of up to 26C. I just wanted to check what your views would be of keeping SAPs at 28C. If you suggest not then I think I will have to get rid of the plecos, or set up an alternate tank for them. Just to let you know, my SAPS are not in the tank with the plecos yet.
Thankyou for any help

28 sounds fine to me. Why not just balance it out at 27?
Or you could just keep the pleco at 26.

The plecos that have ever had have always done fairly well regardless of the temperature. It was when the water quality degraded or varied quickly that they died. If you drop the the temp down by a degree or two over a couple of days it shouldn't bother them at all. Just avoid any quality issues and they'll be just fine.


Jared

okay, phew, was really dreading having to get rid of them. Also, my current stocking in the tank (240l/63USgallon) is going to be 5SAPs, 10otos and 2 of those plecos (only get to 4inches). I am going to have 2 Tetratec 1200 filters on the tank (need the turnover as it is a planted tank), so do you think I should stick to this stocking or do you think I might be able to add another 2 or 3 more of those plecos, do make a total of 4 or 5 (apparently they do better in groups of 5 or more)?
Sorry, the questions never seem to end, but so much to think about with trying to make the puffers and plecos happy and keep the plants all in balance. Will get there in the end.

I would keep it at that, thats a lot of algae eating fish and IME otos very rarely eat algae wafers.

Oh no the plecos that I have don't eat algae, they are carnivorous ones, so that wouldn't be a problem and my otos will eat courgette or cucumbers if I offer them (the puffers too sometimes), so no one will starve, just a little worried about the bioload.

So does anyone think that this will be too much on the bioload??

I don't know who might have kept shoaling meat eating plecos, but I'm guessing we aren't sure how their bioload is.

I think it is the same as most plecos - heavy, which is why i'm worried with the heavy bioload of the puffers and them, but am hoping with 2 tetratec 1200 on the tank (240 litres, so 10x the turnover), it will be okay, along with a 50% water change once a week. Just would like someone to say yes or no, before I go ahead with it, as don't feel confident enough with my fish knowledge!

crazedpuffer wrote:I would keep it at that, thats a lot of algae eating fish and IME otos very rarely eat algae wafers.

I have a 6.5'' Pleco, and he eats algae wafers.

As long as it's not a coldwater tank, the Plecos should do fine. Just be sure to adjust them well. They do better in warmer water IMO, but 26* should be fine for them.

How large are your QA plecos? I have one in my discus tank at 90 degrees. It was about 1 1/2" when I bought it about 5 years ago & now it's only 2 1/2". Not much bioload there...

they are probably about 2.5 inches now, so I guess 3 more will be fine. I have the temp at 27C now, so will adjust the puffers up to that before I transfer them in.
Just want everyone to be happy. Thankyou for all the advice

I'm sorry, my mistake, I keep my discus tank at 84-86 degrees F, not 90. Anywhere between 26-30 C, shoud be fine for your fish.

Okay brilliant, thankyou for that.
Think I'll get another 3 of the QA plecos when I get back from holiday in a couple of weeks, hopefully the first 2 will become less reclusive

I hope they breed for you. They're my favorite pleco!