Algae eaters (sucker fish)

Question
Just a quick question I have a sucker fish in with some Jack Dempsy and notice that the biggest Jack keeps picking on the sucker fish, is there anything I can do to prevent this? Plus I have them in a 55 gallon tank and was wondering how big do most sucker fish get? Is there any time of sucker fish that can be put in cold water with my goldfish?

Answer
Hi Trevor,
 A sucker fish (plecostomus) absolutely needs at least one and ideally several places to hide. They prefer the underside of a large piece of wood.  If he cannot hide, the Jack Dempsey will likely bother him to death.   The exact size of your plecostomus will depend on which species it is.  The common species grow to about 8 to 10 inches, though there are actually hundreds of different species of these interesting fishes.  

  None of them should go in cold water with goldfish.  They are all tropical.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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