I have one.
got him about 3 years ago, havent seen him in 3 years!
he is still there, I check once a month or so to make sure he is still alive..
He is TOTALLY nocternal! when the lights are on, he hides in an opening in driftwood, I have to carefully look behind some plants, and if I look in just the right spot I can just make out a small bit of his tail poking out, it twitches slightly and I know he is fine!
I used to try to feed him, but the sinking algae pellets just got attacked and devoured by the angelfish..there was no way to ensure *only* the pleco got the food, so I gave up feeding him! havent delibrately fed him anything in years..he lives off the ample supply of algae and driftwood. does a fine job of clearing off the driftwood, and there are never any dead plant parts in my tank! I assume he eats those too...seems to be doing fine!
they are a very pretty little fish, when you can see them, and they stay small! mine is only 3" long..which is nice compared to the monster giant "normal" plecos.
so..they are a nice peaceful fish! I recommend them..just dont count on seeing them much!
they must have some *real* driftwood in the tank, they need to munch and scrape real wood for proper digestion..they also use the wood to hide! but that is normal behavior for them..actually, I wouldnt want to keep one *without* a hiding place for it! it would stress it too much..
also, I wouldnt keep one in a non-planted tank, (a tank without lots of REAL plants)
dont get one if you want it to eat algae off the glass, it wont help much there..
I have never once, ever, seen mine on the glass!
actually, im glad mine has its little daytime hiding spot, I consider him quite content. he is living for himself, not for my viewing enjoyment..which is fine with me.
Scot