Lost my pleco

[mig]

I have had my common pleco since I put my first Chichlid in my tank and never had a problem, It seemed as if the pleco wasn't even there.

Last night I turned my tank lights off around 9:30 after watching them for awhile. During that time I saw one of my Red Zebras doing his mating shake/dance around the female but she wasn't having it. This morning I turn on the lights to see my pleco DEVOURED not just dead but in the short time the lights were off they ate everything except the bones.

I guess Im worried that the red zebras are trying to mate or something and their aggression killed the pleco... Should I be worried for my other fish?

[angel]

Red zebras are pretty aggressive. During mating my male red killed one of his women. I'd think they need some privacy during mating, for the safety of the other fish. I moved mine some time ago from the community tank to an "aggressives" tank with red jewels and kenyi. They all get along fine, but they did do in their two plecos.
It's also a possibility that the pleco died of old age(don't know how old it was) and they had a snack. I would not put it past them to kill the pleco though during breeding.

[jon carman]

I agree with Angel, especially if it was a small pleco. At the same time, if the pleco died of any other reason they would have still devoured him. I would just keep an eye on them and if you get another pleco get a decent sized one. The bristlenose pleco does really well. If you are scared to go pleco again, synodontis cats do really well.

[mig]

Well although it sucks to lose a fish, I do want some Multi. Synodnotis so the pleco being gone does free some space up.

He was a good size im going to say 3-4 inches as large as my biggest Cichlid is. He looked to be in good health.. Who knows..