Common Pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus
Also known as: Plecostomus, Sucker Fish
The classic 'sucker fish' sold in pet stores. WARNING: grows to 18 inches and needs a very large tank.
Tank Size
75 gal
minimum (125+ preferred)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH Range
6.5–7.5
water acidity
Max Size
18"
45.7 cm
Lifespan
10–15 years
typical in captivity
Swim Level
Bottom
preferred zone
Care Notes
Often sold as small juveniles without warning about adult size. Most people cannot house adults properly.
Feeding
Algae wafers, blanched vegetables, driftwood, and sinking pellets.
Compatible Tank Mates
Use Caution With
Incompatible With
Check Compatibility
Want to check if Common Pleco is compatible with a specific fish? Use our compatibility checker to build your complete tank.