Fishician®Diet
Herbivore/Omnivore – algae wafers, vegetables, driftwood, sinking pellets
Aquarium species profile
Common Pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus · South America (Amazon basin, Brazil)
Minimum tank100 gal
Adult size18–24"
Care levelEasy
TemperamentSemi-Aggressive
Temperature72–86°F
pH range6.5–7.5
Compatible tank mates
Most fish; territorial with other Plecos in tight space
Tank mates to avoid
Discus and delicate flat-bodied fish (may rasp slime coat at night)
Care notes
Grows much larger than pet store size suggests. Heavy waste producer. Often aggressive with age. Not the same as Bristlenose. Needs driftwood.
Check the whole aquarium. Tank size alone does not establish compatibility. Confirm adult size, water overlap, social grouping, territory, diet, and the individual animals before stocking.