Pond Pleco?

[Gman44]

Hello,
I was thinking of placing a Pleco in my Outdoor Pond this Spring/Summer to help fight Algae...do you think one can survive with Koi?
Thanks.

[Nicklfire]

Well you gotta realize these fish come from asia so they are tropical fish. IF it does not go below 60F then id say it should be safe, but no lower than that, do you have plans for a heater or something?

[fish4fun]

Originally Posted by Nicklfire

Well you gotta realize these fish come from asia so they are tropical fish. IF it does not go below 60F then id say it should be safe, but no lower than that, do you have plans for a heater or something?

Actually most plecos are from South America.
There may well be a pleco suitable for pond life and a great place to start your research is here: www.planetcatfish.com

I'm no pleco expert but I do know of a person that imports MANY different kind in Calgary.

[Gobies et al]

I kept pleco's with my Koi. The larger common pleco (over 8") did best and tolerated the periods when the water cooled too much for them to eat. They were brought in when temperatures dropped into the 50's.

[Gman44]

Originally Posted by Gobies et al

I kept pleco's with my Koi. The larger common pleco (over 8") did best and tolerated the periods when the water cooled too much for them to eat. They were brought in when temperatures dropped into the 50's.

Great...did your Pleco help with controlling the Algae?

[Gobies et al]

They did help with the algae. It was quite noticeable where they had been munching, but I would have had to have many more to really make an impact. They each probably only cleaned about a meter square apiece.

[Gman44]

Originally Posted by Gobies et al

They did help with the algae. It was quite noticeable where they had been munching, but I would have had to have many more to really make an impact. They each probably only cleaned about a meter square apiece.

my pond is only 75 gallons...not very big, should do you think?

[Gobies et al]

No, 75 g. is not very big. Mine was small at 800 gal. for 4 Koi.

If you are planning to put in a large pond,keep your koi. If 75 is your max. I would suggest getting rid of the Koi, and either go with other cool water fish or put in a heater and choose from many other possibles.

Here's a thread I started on another forum:

http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=19361

[Gman44]

Originally Posted by Gobies et al

No, 75 g. is not very big. Mine was small at 800 gal. for 4 Koi.

If you are planning to put in a large pond,keep your koi. If 75 is your max. I would suggest getting rid of the Koi, and either go with other cool water fish or put in a heater and choose from many other possibles.

Here's a thread I started on another forum:

http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=19361

Unfortunately my 75 g Pond/Pothole will do for now...my Koi are 3 @ 2.5" & 1 @ 4.5" at the moment, may sell them off when they get to big & start over. Don't really see myself going any bigger at the moment.
Thanks for all your input.

[paulpeter]

I want a giant pond! I'm incredibly jealous.
As for the Pleco. Monitor the temps for a year if that's possible, and then see how he'd cope. If he does get too big, exhibition tanks in shops sometimes take very large fish.
My next door neighbours fish grew too big. He is now three feet big and happily living away with an eel and a lionfish in an Aquarium..