Common Pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus
Family: Loricariidae • Origin: South America
The Common Pleco is sold tiny but grows to 18 inches. The #1 most rehomed aquarium fish. Get a Bristlenose Pleco instead.
Min Tank
125 gal
Max Size
18"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
15 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-20 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivore
Care Tips
- • GROWS TO 18 INCHES — most tanks too small
- • #1 most rehomed aquarium fish
- • Get Bristlenose Pleco for tanks under 100 gal
- • Stops eating algae as an adult
- • Needs driftwood for digestion
Feeding: Algae wafers, driftwood, vegetables, sinking pellets. Needs driftwood.
Compatibility Notes: Grows to 18 INCHES. Most are returned/rehomed. Get a Bristlenose Pleco instead for small tanks.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 125 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 150 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 2/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Grows to 18 INCHES. Most are returned/rehomed. Get a Bristlenose Pleco instead for small tanks.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- cave spawner
- Breeding Difficulty
- very difficult
- Lifespan
- 15 years
Ideal For
125 gallonlarge fish tank
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
