I have a few questions about plecos....
1. Are Candy Striped plecos commonly found in pet stores?
2. Can 2-3 candy stripe plecos live in a 46 gallon?
3. Are rubber nose plecos common it pet stores and can 1 fit in a 46 gallon?
4. What other smaller plecos are commonly found in pet stores?
5. Would clown plecos some what controll algea in a 46 gallon or do they just eat wood?
6. Can 2-3 clown plecos live in a 46 gallon?
1. Are Candy Striped plecos commonly found in pet stores?
2. Can 2-3 candy stripe plecos live in a 46 gallon?
3. Are rubber nose plecos common it pet stores and can 1 fit in a 46 gallon?
4. What other smaller plecos are commonly found in pet stores?
5. Would clown plecos some what controll algea in a 46 gallon or do they just eat wood?
6. Can 2-3 clown plecos live in a 46 gallon?
When you say 'Candy stripe plec' I assume you mean Hypostomus soniae or L137. If so these can grow to 30cm/12" in length so a slightly larger tank would be preferable. You are also unlikely to find this species except in specialist aquatic stores.
As for the Rubbernose plecs, the most common species is Chaetostoma thomasi. These grow to approximately 5-8cm/2-3" in length. While one of these plecs would be ideal for a tank of this size people have the wrong idea where the care requirements of these fish are concerned. Rubbernose plecs originate from cool, fast-flowing and oxygen rich whitewater rivers. These conditions should ideally be replicated if you want to keep one of these.
Clown plecs (Panaque maccus) are another relatively small species of plec, however they won't eat a lot of algae. Like other Panaque, Peckoltia and certain Hypancistrus species they will spend their time grazing on wood. The wood contains a chemical known as Lignin which is needed for digestion.
Edit: Reputable sources such as Planet catfish are more accurate, the fish in the link is certainly not an L137. Still if that is the fish you want then you should be able to keep them. However do keep in mind that they do not consume a large amount of algae, no matter what some people will tell you.
The level of dissolved oxygen in the water will decrease as the temperature rises. While you could theoretically keep Rubbernose plecs in higher temperatures if you provided enough oxygen, if you experienced a power or equipment failure then you will have problems with oxygen starvation. I wouldn't risk it.
As for the Rubbernose plecs, the most common species is Chaetostoma thomasi. These grow to approximately 5-8cm/2-3" in length. While one of these plecs would be ideal for a tank of this size people have the wrong idea where the care requirements of these fish are concerned. Rubbernose plecs originate from cool, fast-flowing and oxygen rich whitewater rivers. These conditions should ideally be replicated if you want to keep one of these.
Clown plecs (Panaque maccus) are another relatively small species of plec, however they won't eat a lot of algae. Like other Panaque, Peckoltia and certain Hypancistrus species they will spend their time grazing on wood. The wood contains a chemical known as Lignin which is needed for digestion.
Edit: Reputable sources such as Planet catfish are more accurate, the fish in the link is certainly not an L137. Still if that is the fish you want then you should be able to keep them. However do keep in mind that they do not consume a large amount of algae, no matter what some people will tell you.
The level of dissolved oxygen in the water will decrease as the temperature rises. While you could theoretically keep Rubbernose plecs in higher temperatures if you provided enough oxygen, if you experienced a power or equipment failure then you will have problems with oxygen starvation. I wouldn't risk it.