11 replies to this topic

[nc0gnet0]

Any one here have any expierance with the following? I now they need water in the 70's and would need to be pulled out below that, but other than that looks like they would be fine and are non-aggressive and monster cleaners............

Picked one up at the LFS (approx 14-16") and the job he has done on my 200 gal tank is amazing and co-exists with the koi with out any issues............

[DrDave]

Good luck trying to find him in a pond. This one might be big enough, but everyone I know, including my own pond have lost theirs and never knew what happened.

If you have good circulation and filtration, you don't need one in a pond.

[koiguy1969]

i have a pieco in my ponds...no problem i got him at 1&1/2" now hes about 13"or 14". hes faired well in lower temps than 70* i had two but i knocked my prefilter off while vaccuuming and didnt realize and the other got sucked onto the pumps hose and died....you will never see them tho!!

[DrDave]

If he is dead then I bet he has shrunk.

[koiguy1969]

hes dust by now..its been a year... anyways they do do their job, even in the basement pond, the one ive got seems hes always has a 18" or so fecal rope hanging from him.

[nc0gnet0]

I am sure I can find him, it's not so much I feel the pond needs him, morever due to his size he needs the pond............and might appreciate it. At 16" he shouldn't be to hard to locate. He would probable be closer to 20+ after a long summer in the pond.

[koikeepr]

but where will you put him once temps dip below 70 degrees and he's 20+ inches?

[DrDave]

Good point! A Hi Fin Shark is a better choice. It can coexist with Koi, can handle cold water and does the same job as the plecko. A friend of mine has several that he leaves in his pond year round. Where he lives, the pond temps can get close to freezing at times.

[nc0gnet0]

Quote

but where will you put him once temps dip below 70 degrees and he's 20+ inches?

Back in the 200 gallon aquarium he is now in for the winter...The question wasn't rather or not I should get one, I already have one......the question was does any one have any expierance keeping them in the pond.

He was kind of a rescue.......picked him up at the LFS for 15 bucks. His previous owner brought him in for store credit as he had outgrown his tank. I took him in, as I had a tank that was large enough, and it then got me to thinking of letting him in the pond when temps were appropriate.......

I already know that he gets along just fine with koi, its funny, pleco's like summer squash, you cut off a slice and stick a fork in it and drop it in the tank. When I do this all the koi gather round and as the pleco shreds the squash and stray pieces go floating by the koi go into a feeding feny gobbling up these pieces.....

Hope squash is ok for koi

[koidaddy]

I have one in my pond that outgrew its 55 gallon aquarium he was in. Nesse is about 16" long. It is fine here in the florida winters.

[oldmarine]

Just out of curiosity, what is the coldest temps a pleco will tolerate?

Happy ponding,

Rich

[koiguy1969]

mine has been in 63* water and hasnt had any problems.