more bottom feeders

[jo3olous]

I like bottom feeders. Dunno why, but they entertain me. So I'm wondering if my red tail shark will get along with most plecos and how many more I can put into my tank. It's the long 20 gallon tank... > 38inches long

[jediinthedark]

If you have lots of things on the bottom of the tank (rocks, logs, sunken ships, mermaids, etc) you'll be ok. The RT Shark is territorial, but the ornamentation will give him a home to defend rather then the entire bottom of the tank.
A pleco will get along with the RT. You've got a nice long tank which means that there is plenty of bottom room.
Do not get a Common Pleco. They grow way too big.
Look more into the small ones: Like the Royal Pleco and the Bristle Nose. They are gentle, smallish, and not completely nocturnal.
Start with one. If all goes well you may be able to add another a month or two later. That's going to max you out though.

Remember, the more stuff on the bottom of the tank the better.

[jediinthedark]

w00t! Large Fish!

[FishGeek]

LOL jed!!! Personally in a tank of that size I wouldnt add anything with your Red Tail Shark. They can be pretty nasty when crowded.

[jo3olous]

If I upgrade to a 55, a common pleco will be okay right. I wanted to start housing fish that will continue to grow, and after my next payday I am thinking of buying a tank stand and a brand new tank as well (55+). My current tank right now is in a horrible spot anyway as far as furniture in my room goes and it's going to be relocated/replaced. TY for your response

[jo3olous]

Originally Posted by FishGeek

LOL jed!!! Personally in a tank of that size I wouldnt add anything with your Red Tail Shark. They can be pretty nasty when crowded.

damn really? my shark looked so calm because he is always in hiding, although at night I have seen him chase my barbs out of the logs he likes to dwell in

[FishGeek]

Yeah they can be kinda mean at times even though they look so nice If you upgraded then you are entering a whole new world of fish that you can add.

[jo3olous]

Originally Posted by FishGeek

Yeah they can be kinda mean at times even though they look so nice If you upgraded then you are entering a whole new world of fish that you can add.

I know I'm so excitedddd

[Pure]

Look more into the small ones: Like the Royal Pleco

Actually Royals get very large. They are also very messy. So much so that I would say a 55 wouldn't handle the bio-load. Being a wood eater the mess they make in your tank is much more than pretty much any other fish you can own. Max length on them is 15 inches. He wouldn't be able to turn around in a 55. At the very least a 75 is needed to house one, and even then bigger is better.

IME RTS are nasty buggers. I kept one in my 90 and yeah he was territorial. That is until he became an adult fish. Then he decided he didn't want any other fish in the tank with him. So if you want a peaceful tank then no you can not put one in even a 55. It's not so much an issue with him not being compatible with a pleco, plecos can take care of themselves. It's more of a problem for the rest of the fish in the tank. And keeping him in a 20? well he is probably going to end up being the only fish in that tank.

[AlyKat]

Originally Posted by Pure

It's not so much an issue with him not being compatible with a pleco, plecos can take care of themselves. It's more of a problem for the rest of the fish in the tank.

In my Oscars 55, there are 2 plecos in there...bought them at the same time and they were about the same size. One has grown much larger than the other and he's downright NASTY! He goes after Oscar and Jack all the time...they go after him though too...but if they get too close to him? Watch out! LOL! So I'd definitely agree that a pleco can take care of itself w/ aggressive tankmates, but Oscar and Jack can be just minding their own business and he goes after them.