Hypostomus plecostomus

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Common Pleco
Common Pleco
Species	Hypostomus plecostomus
Difficulty	Moderate
Min. Tank Size	283.906 liters 283,905.883 mL 75 US Gallons (283.9L)
Size	30.48 cm 10-12 " (25.4-30.5cm)
pH	6.5 - 8.0
Temp.	295.372 K 22.222 °C 531.67 °R 300.928 K 27.778 °C 541.67 °R72 -82 °F (22.2-27.8°C)
Water Hardness	6-12
Stocking Ratio	1:1 M:F
Availability	Common
Diet	Herbivore Pellet Foods Flake Foods Other (See article)
Life Span	8-15 years

[edit] Alternative names

Common Pleco, Suckermouth Catfish, Plec

[edit] Other Scientific Names

Acipenser plecostomus, Hypostomus guacari, Loricaria flava, Plecostomus bicirrosus, Plecostomus brasiliensis, Plecostomus plecostomus

[edit] Sexing

Mature males have large pectoral fins that turn a reddish pink. Mature or gravid females will be wider in the mid-section when viewed from above.

[edit] Tank compatibility

Keep with large tankmates, can be kept with semi-aggressive Cichlids.

[edit] Diet

A scavenger, keep the diet primarily vegetarian. Will graze on algae. Bogwood is beneficial in their diet.

[edit] Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day, will be more active after lights out.

[edit] Environment Specifics

A large, heavily planted tank with plenty of hiding places, such as bogwood, is ideal. Always allow your Pleco somewhere to hide away from any more active tank inhabitants.

[edit] Behaviour

The Plecostomus is a good scavenger and is renound for sucking algae from aquarium glass. They tend to be nocturnal and prefer hiding places such as plants, rocks and bogwood in their environment.

[edit] Special Notes and Identification

This is one of the most common pleco species sold at pet shops and must be one of the most commonly returned when it has outgrown the tank. However, as larger plecos tend to be in high demand for those with larger tanks, this is not usually a problem. This fish will require a tank length of at least 6 feet (1.8M) in length eventually. It can be hard to tell the difference between this specific pleco and other very similar species, the Pterygoplichthys pardalis for example is often also labelled as the Common Pleco.

This true plecostomus can be quite sandy to dark brown in colour with a clear reticulated pattern across the body, the markings larger on the body and through the fins but smaller on the head.

[edit] Pictures

[edit] External links

• Fishbase
• Planet Catfish