Pitbull plecos

Question
I dont know if you remember me or not, but my little pleco died yesterday, and I've decided to let my tank finish cycling after I move back home before I add any more fish. I've been reading about pitbull plecos for my 10 gallon tank (otos are too fragile) and they seem to be a perfect fit, Before I buy any though I will deck out the aquarium with some driftwood etc for them and all the required supplies. My 9 glofish (zebra danios) are still doing great in the cycling tank, but I guess the algae eaters couldnt take it no matter what I fed them. Anyway, I made arrangements for a store to hopefully order the pitbull plecs for me to pick up some time after I get home, but I want to know exactly how many I should get? People keep saying my tank is overstocked already but they all have plenty of room and when I get the money I'm gong to get a more powerful filter even, so they'll be just fine. How long do pitbull plecos live and what should I do to my tank to get it ready for them? I have the plain ol' cheap aquarium gravel in there right now, but I have access to some larger smooth stones Ive been considering. Live plants isnt really all that realistic, and neither is the soft soil for the bottom I read they like. It would just get too messy with the constant moving. I'm going to add some driftwood if I can and change up the tank some, but what else do you think I should do for my newcomers when I get them in a few weeks?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kelley,

At MOST you could fit one pleco into your tank. Plecos constantly need algae in their diet, and a 10-gallon tank won't provide enough, so you'll need to buy some algae wafers for them. Like the others said, your tank is already fully stocked, if not overstocked. If you are going to put a pitbull pleco into your tank, you should have a good filter. Your filter should have an output of at least 90+ gallons, preferably 100 or more. If you have anything less than 90 gph, then don't attempt it, because your tank cannot support too many fish.

When you say that the fish "Have lots of room", that's not very accurate in this context. True, they have lots of room physically, but in a biological sense, your tank is full to the brim. Your Pitbull pleco should be the last fish that you add in.

A method of getting natural algae is to put your smooth pebbles in a dish of water, facing sunlight. After a couple weeks, algae will be blooming on them, and you can transfer them to the aquarium for a little Pleco snack. If you keep going through the cycle of growing algae, you will get a never-ending supply.

As long as your gravel is smooth-edged, it is not necessary to get sand or a special substrate.

Lifespan: 3-5 years

P.S. I do in fact remember you...good luck with your aquarium!