Species profile
Common Pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus / Pterygoplichthys pardalis complexCommon Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus / Pterygoplichthys pardalis complex) is a solo centerpiece fish for a cycled 125+ gallon freshwater aquarium. Plan for about 24 inches as an adult, 72-82°F water, pH 6.5-7.8, and advanced care. Keep only one per tank, and choose tankmates with matching water needs and low aggression.
Community leaningAdvanced care
125 galMinimum tank
24 inAdult size
1Schooling minimum
72-82°FTemperature
Water Range
- pH
- 6.5-7.8
- GH
- 3-15 dGH
- KH
- 2-10 dKH
Behavior
- Temperament
- Moderate
- Fin nipping
- 1/5
- Territory
- 3/5
Diet and Care
- Diet
- omnivore
- Diet difficulty
- 2/5
- Care difficulty
- 4/5
Planning Notes
Large-growing species; needs long-term tank planning beyond the usual community aquarium.
This species may need live, frozen, fresh, or otherwise specialized foods.
People also bought
Fish that pair well with Common Pleco
These matches are starting points with overlapping water ranges and lower behavior risk. Always check the full stocking plan, tank size, and group counts before buying.
Run Common Pleco through the checker with your tank size, cycle status, water, group count, and tankmates before buying.
Check my tankCompare this speciesPut Common Pleco beside another profile to compare water range, size, diet, schooling needs, and behavior.
Open comparisonWill plants work?Match Common Pleco against aquarium plants for nibbling, uprooting, cover, flow, and water-range flags.
Open plant matchAsk about my setupAsk Advisor how Common Pleco fits with your current tank, recent logs, plants, and livestock.
Ask AdvisorView native rangeOpen the origins map to see reviewed native-range coordinates and regional context for Common Pleco.
Open origins mapRelated guides
From keepers
Loading…