{"product_id":"common-pleco-hypostomus-plecostomus","title":"Common Pleco | Hypostomus plecostomus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe classic 'Pleco' is a tireless algae-grazer as a youngster that grows into a hefty, characterful tank-buster, commonly reaching 35–45 cm and occasionally more. Hardy and long-lived, it is easy to keep alive but demands serious space, filtration and planning for its adult size and appetite, so buy one only if you can house a big fish for the long haul.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHypostomus plecostomus and its close relatives come from fast-flowing rivers and streams of tropical South America, where they cling to wood and rock in warm, well-oxygenated water and rasp algae, biofilm and detritus from hard surfaces. They shelter in crevices and among submerged timber. Robust driftwood, rockwork and strong, clean, oxygen-rich flow recreate this environment.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA large, armour-plated suckermouth catfish with a broad head, powerful rasping mouth, tall sail-like dorsal fin and mottled brown-and-black camouflage. The bony plates and low, flattened body are built to grip surfaces in current. Youngsters are neat and attractive, but be aware this fish becomes a very large, bulky adult with a big presence.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is generally peaceful toward tank mates it cannot swallow, but adults grow territorial and can be grumpy at night, occasionally rasping the flanks of slow, flat-bodied fish. Its sheer size and waste output make it unsuitable for small community tanks. House it with robust, appropriately sized companions in a large aquarium, and give it caves and wood to call its own.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that leans heavily vegetarian. Offer algae wafers, quality vegetable-based sinking foods and plenty of blanched vegetables such as zucchini, pumpkin and sweet potato, plus driftwood to rasp. It will take some meaty and protein foods, but the bulk of the diet should be plant matter. A well-fed pleco is far less likely to damage plants or other fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis fish gets big, so plan for a large tank from the outset: a minimum of around 300 L, with more room strongly preferred for a full-grown adult. Keep temperature at 22–30 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH soft to medium, around 5–20. Provide powerful filtration, robust driftwood and rockwork, and generous water changes to cope with its heavy waste load. It is not reliably plant safe, as large individuals may uproot or rasp soft plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is essentially impractical in home aquaria. In the wild these fish excavate riverbank tunnels in which the male guards the eggs, conditions almost impossible to replicate in a tank. Commercially they are raised in large ponds, so hobby breeding of the common pleco is very rarely achieved.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHypostomus plecostomus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Pleco (Suckermouth Catfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 35–45 cm (occasionally larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful when young, territorial as a large adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate (due to adult size and waste load)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 L or larger for an adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (mostly herbivore): algae wafers, vegetables, driftwood, some protein\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to medium, around 5–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge aquariums with robust tank mates; algae control\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (large individuals may uproot or rasp soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include larger, robust community and cichlid species such as medium to large peaceful cichlids, larger barbs, rainbowfish, silver dollars and other sizeable fish that can share a big tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small fish it may outgrow, with slow, flat-bodied fish such as discus or fancy goldfish that it may rasp at night, and in undersized tanks. Its adult size and waste load rule out small community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232800424227,"sku":"AA1605-S","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232800456995,"sku":"AA1605","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232800489763,"sku":"AA1605-L","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-45cm)","offer_id":55351965548835,"sku":"AA1605-XL","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/common-pleco-hypostomus-plec-43091505676579-v2.webp?v=1790321528","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/common-pleco-hypostomus-plecostomus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}