clown pleco in goldie tank

[Can0Beans]

My LFS sold me a clown pleco as a perfect tank mate to my tiny oranda and calico. However I'm looking at the temp specs for the clown pleco and it looks like the water might be a little cold for him -- can anyone comment?

 

[Lotus]

What temperature do you keep your goldfish tank at? Clown plecos are definitely tropical fish, so I think your LFS may have misled you.

 

[Can0Beans]

I was afraid I was going to hear that -- what is recommended as a cold water algae eater? The water is "room temp" which is usually about 68.

Summer times it's a bit warmer -- winter might be a bit cooler.

 

[Mushroomman]

Depends... what size is the tank?

 

[Can0Beans]

Currently, (while they are still tiny) they are living in a 12 gallon tank. Ultimately they will inhabit a 20 gallon.

 

[Cutlass]

68 is too cold for a Clown Pleco. They shouldn’t be kept in temperatures under 75 or thereabouts. A better choice would be a Rubbernose Pleco or a Hillstream Loach.

 

[Mushroomman]

Yeah a hillstream would probably work. Algae eating you say?

White clouds make a nice addition for more activity in the tank but they dont eat algae.

 

[wayne]

I wouldn't want it to go any colder for sure. Is it actually eating any algae? Mine never ate a lot but chewed throuh a lot of driftwood

 

[fish fanatic]

goldfish temps

I keep my gold fish tank at74 to 76 degrees for my pleco and every one has been happy for over a year.