Common Pleco Information

The common pleco, also known as the armored catfish, is used to describe all of the fish composing the family Loricariiadae. Common plecos are originally from South America and are bottom-feeding algae eaters, which is why many freshwater aquarium enthusiasts use these fish to control algae growth in tanks. These fish do have important requirements that should be taken into consideration before a pleco is purchased for addition to your aquarium.

  1. Aquarium Requirements

    • A common pleco will grow to be quite large. Many fish and pet stores sell baby plecos only a few inches in length. The fish in the common pleco family commonly grow to a length of one to two feet (30 to 60 cm). This equates to a minimum tank size of 55 gallons for one adult pleco. Other plecos can be purchased, such as the Bristlenose Pleco, which only grow to about five inches in length and therefore have smaller aquarium size requirements. Purchasing an aquarium with a lid is also important since common plecos have been known to jump out of aquariums that do not have lids.

    Feeding Habits

    • While common plecos do feed off of the algae and leftover fish food given to other fish in your tank, they require supplementary algae wafer tablets. This ensures that your pleco has a well-balanced, healthy diet. In addition to dried foods, you can also give your common pleco fresh vegetables, such as squash, using a weighted food clip or another method for anchoring down the food in your aquarium. These foods must be removed from the tank within 24 hours to maintain cleanliness.

    Aquarium Decorations

    • Common plecos are well-known for uprooting live plants. If you have live plants in your aquarium, be sure to anchor your plants to rocks or other types of decorations to prevent up-rooting. Common plecos also eat some forms of aquatic plants. Supplementing your pleco's diet with algae wafers on a regular basis can prevent the pleco from eating the plants in your aquarium. Common plecos do require driftwood, plants or other forms of aquarium decoration for use as hiding places in the aquarium. Plecos are most active at night so they desire a place to hide during the bright, daylight hours. Including driftwood in your tank is also an important nutritional supplement for your pleco. The pleco will chew on the driftwood and obtain the extra fiber it requires for a healthy diet.

    Water Conditions

    • Common plecos thrive in aquariums that have high water currents and adequate oxygen levels. They also require aquarium water between 68 and 82 degrees, pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and water changes on a weekly basis. Common plecos produce a considerable amount of waste that should be disposed of using a gravel vacuum.

    Additional Considerations

    • Common plecos have been known to live between 20 and 30 years in captivity. While a pleco that has outgrown its tank can sometimes be traded back to a responsible pet store or sold, it is important to consider the requirements of a common pleco before purchasing and introducing one to your tank. A common pleco is typically a solitary fish and does not keep well with other common plecos. Common plecos sometimes coexist in large aquarium setups, but this requires careful monitoring in the event territory becomes an issue.