Common pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus · Loricariidae
Also known as Suckermouth catfish, Plec
Intermediate
Sold at 5 cm, reaches 45 cm and produces enormous waste — needs a very large tank.
In short: A common pleco needs at least 700 L (185 US gal), water at 22–30 °C (72–86 °F) and pH 6.5–8. It is territorial, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
- Minimum tank
- 700 L (185 US gal)
- Temperature
- 22–30 °C (72–86 °F)
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Adult size
- 45 cm (17.7 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 700 L (185 US gal)
- Temperature
- 22–30 °C (72–86 °F)
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Hardness
- 4–20 dGH
- Lifespan
- 10–20 years
- Diet
- Herbivore-leaning omnivore — wafers, vegetables, driftwood.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Northern South America
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Large rivers with submerged wood
- Natural conditions
- Warm, flowing, oxygen-rich water.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Territorial
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- Large barbsLarge cichlidsSilver dollar
- Avoid
- Slow flat-bodied fish (it may rasp their slime coat)Nano fish
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Difficult; mature males are slimmer with a thicker genital papilla.
- Notes
- Burrow spawner; effectively not bred in aquariums.
- Common ailments
- Stunting in small tanksPoor water quality from heavy waste
Will it fit your tank?
Sign in and AquaLog compares Common pleco against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.
Sign in to check my tanksGuides and lists that mention the common pleco
- How to lower ammonia in an aquarium
- How to lower nitrate in an aquarium
- Bristlenose pleco vs otocinclus: which should you choose?
- Why are my fish dying? A step-by-step checklist
- Aquarium fish that tolerate warm water (30 °C and above)
- Bottom-dwelling aquarium fish
- Check the common pleco with your other fish in the stocking checker
