Bristlenose plecos are a great addition to most aquariums These weird little guys only grow to be around 4in long, allowing them to fit into most medium-sized community aquariums. This makes them a valuable alternative to the very common “Sucker Fish” (
hypostomus plecostomus
) that grows to almost two feet long.
How big do freshwater plecos get?
Plecos can be as small as 1.5 inches long or up to 12+ inches long , depending on species. How fast do plecos grow? Plecos grow very quickly, some up to 5 inches during their first year.
What fish can live with plecos?
Plecostomus are omnivorous bottom-feeders and can be safely housed with fish much smaller than themselves. Plecos generally pair well with cichlids, angelfish, barbs, bettas, other catfish species, gouramis, guppies, hatchets, loaches, mollies and platies.
What do plecos need in a tank?
Plecostomus Water Requirements A pH between 7.0 and 8.0, alkalinity between 3° and 10° dKH (54 ppm to 180 ppm) and temperature between 74° and 80° F will suffice for most captive bred species. If the aquarium is kept in a room below 74°, use an Aqueon Aquarium Heater to maintain the proper temperature.
Will a pleco keep my tank clean?
No, plecos don’t really clean your tank Many people assume that because plecos are bottom-dwelling catfish, they will clean the tank. However, plecos only occasionally eat algae and may prevent algae blooms, but they can’t clean or scrape algae entirely from the tank.
Can I have 2 plecos in the same tank?
“No” to Multiple Plecos Together They often do wonderfully alongside other types of community freshwater fish. When plecos reach maturity, they simply cannot get along with fellow plecos. They can be highly territorial around each other. Therefore, it can be extremely dangerous ever to house them together.
How many plecos should be kept together?
Two to five bristlenose plecos should be kept together. Bristlenose plecos are generally solitary fish. However, they can tolerate several other plecos, given that the tank is large enough. A bristlenose pleco can grow to be five inches long, and it requires plenty of space to live comfortably.
Are plecos easy to keep?
Ensure you have ample room for your plecostomus. Most species can grow up to be between 1 and 2 feet in length. This means that you might need to get a 50 to 100
gallon tank
when your fish reaches its full growth, or find it a new home. Plecos also make plenty of mess.
How much does a pleco cost?
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How long do plecos live in a tank?
In an aquarium, plecos don’t grow as large as they do in the wild. Most fish in captivity stop growing when they reach 15 inches long. The lifespan of a plecostomus in captivity is 10–15 years In the wild, plecos can live even longer than 15 years because the fish aren’t at risk of common aquarium diseases.
How many plecostomus do I need?
How many plecos can I have in my tank? You should only keep one plecostomus per tank This is because they can be territorial, especially as they age, and having more than one can lead to aggression. By keeping only one pleco, you are also ensuring that there is enough food to go around.
How often should I feed my pleco?
While Plecos do eat detritus and algae, it will still need its diet supplemented. Feed your Pleco every day or every other day with
pleco-specific food
. One to two times per week, feed your Pleco pieces of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not iceberg).
Why do my pleco fish keep dying?
In conclusion, a few causes of death for Plecos include changes in water parameters, starvation, and parasite infestations Symptoms of a Pleco dying include loss of appetite, lethargy, and open mouth breathing.
Do plecos get along with bettas?
Much like other species of the Pleco family, Clown Plecos make good tank mates for Bettas and other similar fish They feed mostly on algae and uneaten food, which helps keep your tank clean. Like we recommended with Bristlenose Plecos, you can feed these fish
algae wafer
s for supplemental nutrition.
Do plecos clean gravel?
The
ideal substrate
for plecos is fine gravel or soft sand because it will allow the pleco to filter through the substrate to find food The tank should be densely planted, especially with broad-leafed species like Java Fern and Anubias, to ensure that the pleco can feed on algae growing on the surface of the leaves.
Are plecos dirty fish?
Myth #1: “A pleco will clean your tank!” Plecos are messy fish which produce a lot of waste (and no, they don’t eat poop). They requre heavy filtration and lots of water changes. Having a pleco is NOT a substitute for regularly cleaning your tank, doing water changes and vacuuming your substrate to remove waste.
Do all plecos need driftwood?
Plecos are known to feed on driftwood in minimal amounts. Driftwood consists of nutrients that help in the digestion process of Plecos. However, where driftwood can certainly help in enhancing the health of a Pleco, it is not really a need or necessity.
Can a pleco live alone?
Bristlenose plecos can absolutely live alone in a tank They’re perfectly happy by themselves and don’t always need tank mates to keep them company.
When can I add a pleco to my tank?
You can always get a new tank when your pleco reaches its full size For many plecos, a 100 gallon tank is the best size tank. This will make sure your pleco has room to grow. Additionally, this size will allow you to add more plecos later.
Can I keep a pleco in a 20 gallon tank?
Each Bristlenose Pleco requires 10 gallons of space, so you can house 2 in a 20-gallon tank Remember to not keep more than 1 male in the same tank. Let’s take a closer look and talk about everything you need to know to keep these awesome fish happy and healthy.
Do plecos need filters?
They do well provided the stocking is low enough. The same is true for almost any fish. Modern tech like filters make aquariums more stable and make it easier to keep fish. But they are not essential.
How many algae wafers should I feed my pleco?
Offer at least one algae wafer per day Give your pleco an algae wafer at night before you go to bed, as plecos are nocturnal and eat at nighttime. If the wafer has been completely consumed by the time you wake up, you can offer another algae wafer to your pleco in the morning.
Citations
https://www.aqueon.com/resources/care-guides/plecostomus