Pleco Lifespan

The plecostomus, or pleco, is a popular freshwater aquarium catfish. If it is kept in excellent conditions, a plecostomus may live to be 15 years old or more. However, novice aquarium enthusiasts often keep plecos in environments that are less than optimal. This can result in the fish's premature death.

  1. Life Expectancy

    • On average, a captive plecostomus will live to be 10 to 15 years old if it is kept in a suitably large aquarium with good water parameters.

    Maximum Life Expectancy

    • Well-kept plecos may live to be up to 20 years old. This is rare in captivity, but it is more likely to occur if the fish is kept in a large tank with excellent water conditions.

    Maximum Size

    • Like most other catfish, plecos continue to grow long after they have reached adulthood. Plecos frequently grow to 12 to 18 inches in length, and some have grown to be 2 feet or more.

    Causes of Premature Death

    • Plecos are extremely hardy, especially during the early stages of life, but most die long before they reach maturity. Novice fish keepers often drastically underestimate the adult size of a plecostomus, and many fish die prematurely because of poor water quality and overcrowding.

    Prolonging Lifespan

    • For a plecostomus to live well into its adulthood, it requires a suitably large tank (55 gallons is the absolute minimum). Plecos also require good filtration, low nitrate levels and a varied diet.