Discus Friend

[GoodMike]

HI,
I just found out that i can get a zebra pleco for a VERY GOOD price, and i was wondering if it would do ok with my 7 discus in a barebottome tank (i know someone on this board has a zebra pleco) Would it be ok??? Would it get along with them? ive wanted one of these for a long time, and now i want it even more knowing that i can get it for a great price. Thanks in advance

[M0oN]

From what I understand they're incredibly shy and easily stressed fish, so I'd be more worried about the pleco's health then the discus'.

[GoodMike]

i know they can be, but i have a large piece of drift wood with lots of great places to hide in there....im not so worried about the discus being harmed, but the pleco. I dont want to get it if im just putting it in a bad home. i have just been looking for one of these for soooo long, and the benefits of working at a private fish seller, you get to see the suppliers lists :P

[discus_nw]

They are primarily nocturnal and stay well hidden during the day making them a poor choice for a discus tank. Zebra plecos also perfer some current. They are meateaters, though, so will devour discus food.

[Willie]

The last time you'll see the zebra pleco is right before putting him in the tank. Its amazing how well they can hide. They can sense minute vibrations so they know when you're coming.

Willie

[dpt8]

I've had great luck with zebra plecos in with discus. They love the warm water and you need the driftwood. They do eat bloodworms, etc. but they are very small and don't eat that much. I had them in a gravel tank with ph of 6.5 though. I don't know how they'll do in a barebottom tank with higher ph. They'll eat what goes under the driftwood or scour the gravel @ night. They won't come out with the dicus to eat. They are great but I think need the lower acid water.

[Jeffery_Doty]

Hello,

I say get it! I had one for 8 years with discus. It survived when many other fish did not, so they are very hardy. Mine also came out at feeding time with the other fish, so I saw him every day.

Jeff
Oregon

[GoodMike]

well...depending on the good price (i dont know it yet, but my boss told me she can get it for a great price) i think i may get it, if i feel its not doing to well in that tank i have 2 other tanks i can try it in. Jeff, what was the ph you had it in? anything else i should know, you can either post it here, im me or email me @ thegoodmike86@aol.com. THANKS

[GoodMike]

ok, its gonna cost me 30 bucks to get one.....which is such an awesome deal.....but, will it survive in my tank. I have low current, that is the main thing im worried about. Any help is appriciated.

[Holeshot55]

Hello GoodMike, just my experience with Zebras...I have been keeping Zebras with my Discus for a few years now and never had any such problems with them at all!...They are shy, but never had a problem with water current or ph or temperature...After they are in your tank a while they will know when its feeding time and come out of hiding...THEY ARE MEAT EATERS!!!(Bloodworms, Brine Shrimp, and occasional Beefheart)...When you first get them make sure you can get some food near their faces...After they are in your tank a while, they will be a lot less maintenance for you...Just be patient with them and take care of them, because they are pretty awesome species of Plecos...Good luck!

Jason