Tank Cleaners: Part 1 – Plecos

Plecos: Fish that clean the tank?

Algae is a problem that all aquarists have to deal with it at some point. Keeping an aquarium looking clean and free of algae is most often an ongoing battle. You may even have searched for fish that clean the tank. In freshwater aquariums, “Plecos” (short for plecostomus and used to refer to fish of the family Loricariidae) are one of the most common fish purchased to aid in algae cleanup. The reality is, unless you have an aquarium larger than 75 gallons and only one Pleco, the Plecos will end up feasting mainly on the meat based foods that you feed your other fish. This is because there is rarely enough algae growth in an aquarium to sustain a Pleco’s appetite. Further, a high-protein diet based primarily on meaty foods can be unhealthy for animals who have a digestive system intended to process mostly plant matter.

On the other hand, even if you do have a large tank and enough algae, Plecos are not capable of scraping the algae completely away from any surface in the tank, including the glass, so you will always be left with a thin, but noticeable, coating of algae. This seemingly faulty cleaning ability might be a genetic development to prevent the fish from completely eliminating their own food sources. When a little is left behind, the algae will grow back, providing a sustainable food source for the algae eaters. However, if the algae were completely scraped away, it might not grow back, forcing the algae eaters to find a new source of food.

This does not mean you should never buy a Pleco though. Some Plecos are truly stunning and there are literally hundreds of species of Plecos for aquarists to purchase. Just remember that you must provide them with a vegetable-based food, especially in smaller tanks with little algae growth. It is also important to know that some of the most common species of Plecos can reach lengths of 24″ or more, and they are very powerful swimmers capable of knocking over decorations and stirring up your substrate with the flick of a tail. Finally, if you have a planted tank and are searching for algae eaters, only purchase Plecos if you are familiar with the species and its dietary requirements. Otherwise you may end up with a fish that will eat your plants.

If you do want a Pleco that will aid in algae removal, the Bushy Nosed (Bristle Nosed) Plecos from the genus Ancistrus seem to do the best job and most tend to stay pretty small. Just remember that the fish will not solve your algae problems. Proper maintenance of the aquarium and its water parameters are the only solution. My advice is to purchase Plecos because you like the way they look, not to keep your tank clean, and to research that particular species’ food requirements. Most Plecos are omnivorous but require a diet high in vegetation. Some prefer soft vegetation, while others like to rasp on wood. There is also at least one species, the coveted Zebra Pleco, which lives primarily on meaty foods.