Everything you need to know about Common Plecos!

[AndorranPrince]

AndorranPrince's article on Common Plecos!

Name : Common Pleco, Plecostomus, L021.
Scientific Name : Hypostomus Plecostomus
Diet : Veggie matter, algae wafers and boiled vegetables. Also eats driftwood and aquarium algae if available.
Size : 14 to 20 inches
Temperature : 22-28 degrees Celcius, 77-84 Farenheight
Origin : South America, Amazon and tribuatries
pH : 6.4-8.0
Minimum tank size : 90 gallons minimum, 125 preferably

These "sucker fish" are commonly seen for sale in pet stores, displayed as "tank cleaners". I give you a PERSONAL guarantee, though they will eat the algae on your walls/decor, they will most certainly NOT clean your tank. These are BIG fish, that produce a LOT of waste. Within one year, they typically grow from 2 inches to about 6, and then two inches per year after that.

If what you are looking for is a big catfish that is easy to care for, then these are probably a good bet. They're bigger, and a lot hardier than their smaller counterparts, both in water parameters and tankmate choice, seeing as they can be kept with both kinds of cichlids, as well as more peaceful species like tank mates like tetras and danios. May fight with similar sized plecos, like Royals.