Piranhas and Plecos?

D_21 · Post by **D_21** » 16 Jan 2005, 17:42

I currently have a 120 gallon tank, inside i have 5 Red Belly Piranhas, they range from 3-4 inches maybe one is 5 inches. I want to put one maybe two plecos in with them, but am unsure of what species would or could thrive with my RBP's.If there is a species what size would be good 6-7 inches i mean i am lost Pls help any adivce would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 16 Jan 2005, 19:13

You could do without the capitals and exclamation marks in your demand for help; it works contra productive.

What you can do is take a large Pterygoplichthys and try it.
Problem with Piranhas is that they are very unpredictable.
They may leave the pl*co in peace for years and then out of the blue tear it to pieces. Just try; no guarantees given.

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:20

Sorry if I was a bit harsh on you; didn't notice you were new on the forum. Welcome.

Post by **Shane** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:34

D 21,
I modified the title of your post. As Mark pointed out Caps and exclamations are considered rude. Second, and you are not the only one to have done this, try to put some information in the title. A person with the kind of knowledge you seek will be more likely to open a posting that states it is about piranha and plecos than "Advice Needed." Hope I do not sound like I am scolding you (not my intention) and welcome to the site.
-Shane

D_21 · Post by **D_21** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:35

thanks for the advice, no problem at all, i didn't mean to sound rude i just really am having trouble finding info on which plecos are aggressive enought to hold there own. jsut curious what size would be good for the pterygoplichthys. My biggest Piranha is clsoe if not already 5 inches , so would u think 6 or maybe 7 inches

Post by **Marc van Arc** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:47

I didn't mention sizes, but go and get yourself a pretty large one. I don't know what it's like in Canada, but here the LFS are stuffed with large pl*cos which were returned due to their size. And again, it remains a gamble with red bellies and other known agressive piranhas.
BTW: D21: into CitroÃ«n?? If so, send a pm, you can't discuss it here.

Post by **Shane** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:48

I agree with Marc's advice. Caribe are just too darn unpredictable to make any promises. A large Hypostomus, Glyptopterichthys, etc may be attacked as soon as it is added or left alone for years only to be killed one day for no reason. It really does not matter if the pleco is aggressive or not because if the caribe, as a school, decide to go to town on it... it is a goner. There is NO fish that can hold its own against an excited group of piranhas. Go ahead and give it a try if you wish. It may work or may not work.
-Shane

coelacanth · Post by **coelacanth** » 16 Jan 2005, 21:30

Shane wrote:Go ahead and give it a try if you wish. It may work or may not work.
-Shane

But remember it is the fish that will be the losers if it doesn't work (and if it happened while you were away from home for any reason, you'd probably come back to one stinking tank because the remnants of a large Plec could quite easily "turn" a 120 gallon aquarium and finish off the Piranha).
Pete