Hi there,
Can anyone advise me on is it possible to keep
plaecostumus in a koi pond in the garden route area.
I know that plaecos are a warm water fish, will they thrive here in the winter?
I've bought several plaecos from local petshops in the winter, they last only a week of untill the weather changes. Lost them all in the small pond n the big pond..
Looking forward to some feedback please.

Hi Mrbig ,

Welcome to the forum.

It is funny that they dont last in cold water.
I was always thinking that they can live any where.

I am sure the other members will reply and give you more info.

How big is ur pond?

Koi pond size is 20,000 liters n it has a section under a shady bridge, thats shallow, about 2m in depth n the deep end is sunny at about 5m deep.

Hi MrBig
Plecos wont survive around here, water gets to cold and they are warm water fish. They wont survive in water colder than 20 degrees Celsius. They only survive in the warmer parts of our country like Natal Coast, Hoedspruit, Tzaneen, Phalaborwa and those places. We had two in a outside pond when we stayed in Hoedspruit and they grew fairly big - 50cm. It was only them and two koi in a 4000L pond.

Thanks alot for the info. Do anyone know of any other bottom feeders that can stand the cold. Do i actually have to feed the bottom feeders or can they survive on algae alone.
Cheers,
Jo

Just feed your fish with food that has a certain amount of sinking pellets.