Hypostomus plecostomus, often referred to simply as the common pleco, is a large armoured loricariid catfish renowned for its appetite for algae and its robustness. Often sold young and small, it nevertheless reaches an imposing adult size and should be reserved for large aquariums.

Origin & habitat

Hypostomus plecostomus is native toSouth America (Amazon basin and other neighbouring river systems), where it inhabits rivers, tributaries and flooded areas with weak to moderate currents. It mainly frequents rocky or wooded bottoms, with roots, submerged trunks and numerous hiding places, in well-oxygenated water.

Description & sexual dimorphism

• Adult size: 30-45 cm (or even more depending on the strain)
• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years, or even longer in good conditions
• Body: elongated, armoured with bony plates, mouth like a sucker pointing downwards
• Colouring: brown to olive-brown, mottled or spotted with darker patterns
• Fins: high, triangular dorsal fin, powerful pectoral fins for pressing against the substrate

Sexual dimorphism is not very marked: in adults, males may have more developed odontodes (small spines) on the pectoral fins and along the body, while females are often rounder when viewed from above.

Recommended water parameters

• Temperature: 23-28°C
• pH: 6.0-7.8
• Hardness: 3-15 °dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
• Water quality: clean, well-oxygenated water, no nitrites, nitrates under control.

The common pleco is robust, but its adult size implies a high organic load: efficient filtration and regular water changes (30% per week) are essential.

Aquarium maintenance

• Minimum recommended volume: at least 400-500 litres for an adult fish
• Dimensions: a long front (150 cm or more) to allow for swimming
• Decor: roots, trunks, large stones, hiding places (caves, tubes, cavities)
• Substrate: sand or fine rounded gravel, easy to clean
• Filtration: powerful, with good mixing and oxygenation

Provide sturdy decorations (heavy roots, stable stones): an adult pleco can displace light elements by moving or sucking on them. Although it does graze on algae, it is no substitute for good maintenance.

Behaviour & cohabitation

Hypostomus plecostomus is a mainly nocturnal fish, peaceful but sometimes territorial towards its congeners or other large loricariids when it reaches adulthood.

• Character: generally calm, may defend its resting place or hiding place.
• Living zone: bottom and surfaces (windows, roots, stones) that it grazes.
• Possible mates: large characids, peaceful cichlids of equivalent size, other robust fish.
• Avoid: small, fragile fish in tanks that are too small, cohabiting with other large, territorial plecos without enough space.

An adult specimen in a small aquarium quickly becomes unsuitable: it produces a lot of waste, can uproot plants and stress the other occupants if there isn't enough space.

Feeding

Hypostomus plecostomus is often mistakenly thought to eat only algae, but is in fact an omnivore with vegetarian tendencies.

• Plant base: pellets for bottom-feeding fish, spirulina-rich granules, poached vegetables (courgette, cucumber, spinach, carrot in small quantities).
• Protein supplements: bloodworms, artemia, krill, to be distributed in moderation.
• Fibre: wood/roots in the tank, which it grates and eats a small portion of.

A large pleco needs to be fed regularly: making do with the algae in the tank is insufficient and can lead to weight loss and opportunistic behaviour (attacks on vegetables, plants and even the mucus of other fish).

Aquarium reproduction

Reproduction of the common pleco in a pleasure aquarium is rare, mainly because of its adult size and the volumes required. In the wild, it is a cavity spawner:

• The male chooses or digs a cavity (under a root, in a recess, a tube, etc.).
• The female lays the eggs, which the male guards and ventilates.
• The fry then feed on biofilm, algae and finely distributed food.

In practice, reproduction tends to take place in very large tanks or specialised rearing facilities.

Aquabota advice

• Reserve Hypostomus plecostomus for large aquariums (400-500 L and more) or specific installations.
• Don't think of it as a "simple anti-algae solution" for a small tank: it will very quickly become too big.
• Provide oversized filtration to deal with the pollution generated by a fish of this size.
• Offer regular roots, hiding places and vegetables to ensure its well-being and limit damage to plants.

Quick facts

• Scientific name: Hypostomus plecostomus
• Common name: common pleco
• Origin: South America (Amazon basin and tributaries)
• Adult size: 30-45 cm (or more)
• Swimming zone: bottom and surfaces
• Temperature: 23-28°C
• pH: 6.0-7.8
• Hardness: 3-15 °dGH
• Behaviour: fairly peaceful, territorial with its congeners if space is insufficient
• Difficulty level: technically easy, but requires a very large volume and suitable filtration.

Shipping & Delivery of live fish

Our Hypostomus plecostomus are prepared with the greatest care in our Aquabota fishroom. Each fish is selected, acclimatised and observed before shipping to ensure optimum health.

• Packaging: oxygenated bags adapted to the size of the fish, isolated in crates specially designed for transporting live fish.
• Transport: express delivery via appropriate carriers, to keep time spent in transit to a minimum.
• Temperature: addition of heaters or ice packs depending on the season, to maintain a stable temperature.
• Arrival: an Aquabota acclimatisation guide accompanies you step by step to ensure the successful introduction of your pleco in the best possible conditions.

If you have any questions before or after placing your order, our Aquabota team will be happy to advise you on compatibility with your population, the choice of decor and the ideal parameters for your Hypostomus plecostomus.