Plecostamus and Mollies

[Cel45]

Hello all, I have never posted on this group, but I have a question. I have wild caught sailfin mollies in my pond. Into this pond I placed a 8 inch long Plecostamus that I also caught wild a couple years ago at about an inch. He has not eaten all the algae on the side of my pond. Will this hurt the mollies? Should I take him out? I am supplemental feeding the fish, but want all to be happy. Thanks!!

Cel45

[troy tucker]

They will be fine together.

[ptran]

That's a big pleco. Have you notice any mollies missing?
I'm thinking they will be fine together.

[morpheus]

they should be fine together. plecos dont eat only algae. yes that is a part of their diet but they also will eat the excess food. the mollies also will graze on algae as well. many livebearers do

[ptran]

Pleco is known for sneaking up to their tank mates to suck on their slime coat while they are sleeping (if they ever sleep ). They generally will only eat the dead fish, but who knows.

[morpheus]

i never saw a pleco in any of my tanks actually suck on a healthy fish. if the fish is sick or dead, then yes they are fair game for the cleanup crew haha

[Cel45]

Thanks Troy!

[Cel45]

ptran, now that you mention it, there may be some smaller fish missing. I am feeding him shrimp pellets, algae wafers, and zuccini, but I think I am going to re-home him. Since he will have to come in when it get cooler anyway.
Cel45

[mredman]

If you are missing fish, the first suspect would be birds or other non-aquatic predators. I agree with the above assessments that the pleco is not the problem. How big is the pond?

Mike