Q&A for How to Introduce a Pleco to a Goldfish Tank

No, most goldfish generally react similarly when interacting with other fish. Most likely, your specific breed composition will not affect how well the pleco does in your tank.

Fully grown plecos will sometimes suck the slime coat off goldfish. Be careful of that, and watch the goldies and plecos carefully.

It doesn't mean anything unless the pleco with its fin is up acting funny or showing signs of illness. The fin up is usually a territorial behavior.

It depends on the individual fish. Also, if you don't maintain the tank then your fish probably won't live as long. Pleco can be known for sucking on goldfish since they have a thicker slime layer on them. Plecos can also live for a long time too, so there really isn't any issue in pairing it with a goldfish.

Albinos are rather calm, yes. Your goldfish should be perfectly safe with them in the tank.

Absolutely! Plecos actually do well with goldfish breeds.

That is what they eat. Some sinking algae pellets specifically for them can provide more sustenance. Not every fish eats the same type of food.

You can really add a pleco whenever. They're good beginner fish and most species are hardy. It might be best to add them once you can see some algae growing or a month after you first put fish in your tank.

How big is your tank? Because it sounds a bit overcrowded. Plecos are not cold water fish, so no the pleco will not be okay in the cold water and not okay with goldfish.

Once the light is out, the goldfish is likely sleeping. When the light is on, the pleco is likely sleeping. That's one of the reasons why they are recommend to go together.

You may have dirty water in your tank; if so, change the water immediately. If you have a filter, check to make sure it's working properly (as you may need a new cartridge). Check the fish's fins. If they are torn, dirty water is the problem. If everything still seems fine, check the thermostat on your heater. If it's over 85 degrees, set the thermostat to 72 degrees. If it's below 70 degrees, set it to 82.

If the goldfish is just stealing food from it, then its easy enough to just feed them separately by putting one in a breeding net so the pleco can eat. but if its getting physical you should get him out of there. the goldfish may be a more aggressive type or he can just have an aggressive personality.

The main reason a pleco would suck off another fish's slime coat is because of malnutrition. Be sure to provide it with a healthy variety of food, and this should stop the issue. If however, it does not, It is best for your goldfish's health to separate them.

The best fit depends on your current tank setup. Variations in tank size, stocking, temperature, etc. can determine the most suitable type. It is best to research more specific needs of subspecies.

This answer completely varies for different ponds and subspecies. It is best to do specific research that factors all components, such as pond size, temperature, and stocking.

Test for other parameters like pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. It could have been cycling, and the high levels could have been too much for him. Also make sure your water is treated with conditioner. And if there's too much algae, there could be phosphates, which means you have to clean your tank.

No, the pleco shouldn't be affecting the goldfish in any negative way, unless it is physically attacking them. It could be stress from a new tankmate, but I doubt that would cause such a disturbance. Check the water quality, food levels, lighting and other issues to see what might be a problem. If there is overcrowding, that could be the real cause, so check the tank is the right size for your fish.

No, they are rather calm to plecos, since they are primarily bottom feeders.

Thankfully, no. It is impossible to have hybrids like that, as they possess different needs.

Your Pleco may be resorting to sucking off the slime coat of your Goldfish, so try feeding them more. Also, your Pleco may not be getting the nutrition it needs.

Plecos are picky and don't always clean the exact spots you would like. They are doing fine, as they are most likely eating the algae on the walls. They may not be used to your new tank.

Depending on the situation, yes. However, goldfish and plecos should have a bigger tank, as they grow about a foot long. If you are planning to permanently keep your tank, then reconsider if a pleco is right for you.

it is likely that it died of old age. Old fish die. You can buy a new one to replace it.

Plecos do eat fish, it's more likely it died first though, they scavenge. They probably all joined in after the fish died.