cichlid tank mates

[scuba6567]

Questin about pleco's and cichlids. Will the pleco's mess with cichlid egg clutches? I normally get 1-2 clutches in a week give or take. But i have some big plecos that i am scared to let hang out and clean up due to disturbing and or eating eggs and babies. I know the parents guard quite well they attack the fire out of me when I remove the babies but will they harm the pleco or can the plecos take the punishment, and will they eat my youngsters before and or after hatch. Thanks for the help.

Stephen

[Goathead]

If the plecos can get to the eggs, they will eat them. I wouldnt worry too much about the pleco being able to take the abuse, as long as they are larger than the cichlid.

[kewlkatdady]

In most cases I would agree with txfront...but I have seen where daf brichardi have killed 5-6" pleco's...

Most of the time, the pleco's will be fine, but there are no givens...

[bra8ndy8]

I agree with Kewl....I had a 9 in pleco....put him in my 100 gallon Mbuna tank....woke up the next morning and they ate his eyes out!

[scuba6567]

Sucks to hear all of that but confirms my thoughts and i will keep things the way they are.
Stephen