Axolotl and Pleco

[Tanner]

So I already know that keeping other fish with an axolotl isn't recommended because either the axolotl will eat the fish or the fish will nibble on the axolotl. I was wondering if anybody had information on keeping a pleco (sucker fish) with an axolotl. A local store sells larger plecos so I don't believe the axolotl will be able to eat it and in research I've found plecos are peaceful with a larger tank size. I'm currently working on setting up a 40 gallon so space shouldn't be an issue either.

If anyone could give suggestions or advice, even reasons why this might not work, I'd like to hear it. I can't find any accounts with specific information on keeping an axolotl with a pleco and I'd prefer to know what would happen instead of finding out first hand as I'd like both animals to comfortably survive. Thanks.

 

[CJ1981]

compatibility - Are axolotls and plecos compatible? - Pets Stack Exchange

Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=...&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

I've posted you a couple of links to further info. The general consensus seems to be that they don't mix well as species for a couple of reasons. Their temp needs are different plus plecos appear to have a taste for the slime coat of axolotls and will suck it off along with tracts of skin causing some rather gross injuries. There are also several accounts of axies trying eat smaller plecos and ending up impaled on the fins.

If you search this forum there are several threads that discuss this issue.

Happy reading

 

[rachel1]

No.
1) a pleco is tropical, Axolotls like cold
2) plecos have spines- if it ends up in your axolotls mouth it can easily kill one or both animals.
3) plecos have been reported to suck on the slime coat of axolotls, leavng open wounds on the axolotl's skin and making them susceptible to opportunistic pathogens. They also do this to Discus, though that's kinda irrelevant here.

 

[TheAxolotlMan]

Well I would wait for someone more experienced to pitch in. I'm not 100% sure but there might be a pleco that's compatible. There are hundreds of pleco species. The common plecos (hypostomus plecostomus, Ancitrus sp. ect.) aren't compatible since they are outside of the temp range, size difference, and could probably hurt the axie or vise versa. Plecos produce a lot of waste too. And plecos generally like softer water.