Pleco chasing Malawi cichlids

**dream** · 29th May 2006, 20:11

Hi there, I noticed that my pleco have been chasing my Malawi cichlids every now and then. Is this normal?

**michael lai** · 29th May 2006, 23:27

Hi Dream,
Don't worry about it, it's normal. Malawi are hardy fellas definately capable of taking care of themselves. But I think it's time to get your plecos a bigger tank.

**Justikanz** · 29th May 2006, 23:51

Pl*cos and Malawi cichlids are from different water systems and they like different water qualities, the cichlids prefering hard, high pH waters while the cats would prefer acidic to neutral and softer waters. While the cats can adapt, it is best that they are best not placed together. Furthermore, they are both territorial, such chasing behaviour is bound to happen...

Well, my 2 cents...

**dream** · 29th May 2006, 23:52

mic, thanks for the assurance. I dun don't think i will add another tank just for the pleco. most probably i will give it away and buy another smaller one. thanks again.

hi justikanz, is there other fish that i can keep with my cichlid then? my purpose is for the pleco to remove uneaten food and keep the aquarium reasonably clean... i tried cory last week but they only lasted two days...

**Justikanz** · 30th May 2006, 00:07

dream, cories would be a worse choice, as you had found out...

I personally, do not encourage keeping cats to 'removed uneaten food'... I believe they deserve what all other fish deserved...

But, that is just my 2 cents...

Hmm... if you are looking for a cat to eat the uneaten food in a Malawi cichlid tank, maybe a rift cat? Maybe Michael can give a better suggestion.

**mickthefish** · 30th May 2006, 00:40

if theyr'e available in SG the three fish i'd go for are syno petricola, multipunctata or polli they would be ideal.
mick

**michael lai** · 30th May 2006, 00:45

My personal favorite for cichlids is the feather fin synodontis. Striped raphael( Platydoras costatus ) or Megalechis thoracata. The last 2 are armoured cats so don't have to worry. The asian or african bumblebee cat is also a nice addition. The cats mentioned here are all hardy and excellent scavengers( anyway almost all cats are

). You can still get plecos maybe the smaller ones, Hypancistrus L236 or L333 are all nice additions to the community. Beware, catfish keeping can be very additive.

**mickthefish** · 30th May 2006, 05:26

dream, can you tell us what species of malawi's you have, that would be easier to select the cat's to go with them.
mick

**dream** · 30th May 2006, 08:27

I am certain that i have 3 convicts and a handful of malawi cichlids - not sure what species they are, bought them in an assorted cichlids tank...

I will try to get photo of them tonight... but need to learn how to attach photo first.. he he he...

**dream** · 30th May 2006, 22:10

Hi, below are photos of my tank

and the "devil"

**dream** · 31st May 2006, 11:52

found some information about the pleco:

http://www.wetpetz.com/gibbiceps.html

It can grow up to 30cm! Too big for my liking... May want to give it away...

**Daniel machado** · 5th Jun 2006, 23:32

Hi all,

New to this site, but not to fishkeeping.

Originally Posted by dream

Hi there, I noticed that my pleco have been chasing my Malawi cichlids every now and then. Is this normal?

Yes... This IS normal. Catfishes are not as peaceful as we think. Here are links to an interesting article called "Peaceful Catfishes - A Myth" (page 1, page 2, page 3, page4) and to another one, showing the aggression of a pleco just like yours over a Aulonocara cichlid and making som other considerations about catfishes and cichlids: link.

Originally Posted by michael lai

My personal favorite for cichlids is the feather fin synodontis. Striped raphael( Platydoras costatus ) or Megalechis thoracata. The last 2 are armoured cats so don't have to worry. The asian or african bumblebee cat is also a nice addition. The cats mentioned here are all hardy and excellent scavengers( anyway almost all cats are

). You can still get plecos maybe the smaller ones, Hypancistrus L236 or L333 are all nice additions to the community. Beware, catfish keeping can be very additive.

Michael gave you some interesting options... Most Synodontis are used to the water chemistry of the rift lake cichlids and are good choices. The raphael and hoplo cats are VERY hardy and adaptable, and remain at a manageable size. I'd suggest among the plecos some Ancistrus (bristlenose plecos). Never heard of Hypancistrus with african cichlids, but it could work too. And they look NEAT.

Oh, you should pay attention to the warning he posted, BTW.

Best regards.

Daniel.

**michael lai** · 5th Jun 2006, 23:44

Hi Daniel,
Welcome to Aquatic quotient! and another catfish lover I see

**dream** · 5th Jun 2006, 23:47

Hi Daniel,
Great articles! It is "spot on" on how I assumed the pleco to be...
Thanks alot!
Need some time to read though... must resist addiction to catfish...

**Daniel machado** · 5th Jun 2006, 23:54

Glad to hear they were useful... These came from the PlecoFanatics articles section.

Michael, I have a bunch of catfishes... A lima shovelnose, a pair of Hoplosternum littorale, a pair of Megalechis thoracata, a possible Franciscodoras marmoratus, a banjo cat, and a few plecos (violet/ L77, Leopard/ LDA07, Scarlet/ L25, a pair of King Tigers/ L66, a Pterygoplicthys parnahybae, a couple possibly undescribed Hypostomus aff. regani and a possible Chaetostoma sp.)...

Dream... I think it it TOO LATE FOR YOU already. I can assure you won't regret, though.

Best regards.

Daniel.