Hypostomus plecostomus or common suckermouth catfish (plecos)
seldom kill and eat other fish
. They are omnivorous scavengers, but occasionally, they may kill another fish if the living conditions are poor. Generally, the plecos only scavenge on an already dead fish in the aquarium.
Why is my pleco killing my fish?
Can plecos be with other fish?
Pleco Habitat Companions
Plecostomus are omnivorous bottom-feeders and can be safely housed with fish much smaller than themselves.
Plecos generally pair well with cichlids, angelfish, barbs, bettas, other catfish species, gouramis, guppies, hatchets, loaches, mollies and platies
.
What fish do plecos not get along with?
Many other large suckermouth fish like Chinese Algae Eaters also have this habit. Fish like
Discus, Gouramis, and Goldfish
should not be kept with larger Plecostomus.
Does pleco eat fish poop?
No, plecos won't eat fish poop
. Despite being a popular cleaner fish, plecos don't eat poop because fish poop is already processed and contains very few nutrients.
Will pleco eat goldfish?
Rubber-lipped plecos are fairly peaceful algae-eating fish, so
generally they will not bother your goldfish
. They also do well in water temperatures between 70F and 78F, so their temperature range is within that of most goldfish aquariums.
Will a big pleco eat a small pleco?
Plecos only usually eat other fish if their environment is incorrect and they are not getting enough to eat
. They are territorial and will attack other plecos and kill them if a second pleco is placed in the fish tank. They often eat carrion and feed on dead fish.
Is janitor fish good for aquarium?
Sometimes called the “janitor fish” or “sucker fish” these helpful species
can help keep tanks clean as they are natural scavengers
. They are bottom-feeders and will eat uneaten food or other leftover matter that would otherwise cause harmful nitrates in the water.
Do plecos sleep upside down?
Many plecos fall asleep hanging upside down on a piece of driftwood
. Sometimes during their nap they let go and just fall down without waking up. So finding a pleco laying upside down is normal.
Can you put 2 plecos in the same tank?
“No” to Multiple Plecos Together
When plecos reach maturity, they simply cannot get along with fellow plecos. They can be highly territorial around each other. Therefore, it can be extremely dangerous ever to house them together.
How do I keep my plecos happy?
How much space does a pleco need?
Adult Common Plecos need a tank size of
75 to 80 gallons
at the very minimum. However, to help your fish reach its full size and potential you'll need at least 150 gallons! Larger is always better with the Common Pleco.
How old do plecos live?
Plecostomus are primarily nocturnal and will spend daytime hours resting along the benthos in dark crevices. The average lifespan for plecostomus is
10 to 15 years
.
Can catfish and pleco live together?
This is another catfish species, that
works well together with Plecos
. The best part about the Cory Catfish, is the fact that it's easy to care for it. You don't need much expertise to keep them in your tank.
How long till pleco is full size?
It takes
about five years
for a common pleco to grow to its full size. A common pleco typically grows 3-5 inches in its first year. After that, its growth rate will slow down until it attains its full size of 20-25 inches.
What fish cleans the tank?
Suckermouthed catfish
like Common and Sailfin Plecos, Bristlenose and Otocinclus all graze algae and will “clean” the tank of it, but they do also need food in their own right if they are to grow, stay healthy and thrive.
Why does my pleco have long poop?
Long poop strings
can be a sign of internal parasites
. Loss of appetite can be another sign somethings up. That being said, plecos sometimes have long poop strings and it doesnt mean anything. Keep trying to feed the veggies.It will figure out its food soon enough.
Will a common pleco eat snails?
As I mentioned before, plecos will eat or munch on anything they can find.
Plecos will eat dead fish and snails too
. They will also eat decaying aquarium plans, and will munch on some plants.
Can you put plecos in a pond?
Plecos are usually found in aquariums and are tropical fish, but
they can be beneficial in Koi ponds
. It is highly recommended that if you decide to add plecos to your pond that you add them during the summer. In the winter, they need to be housed in a aquarium.
Why is my pleco attacking my goldfish?
Some plecos may become rather aggressive
when they grow to a larger size or encounter other fish
. Because of this, you will want to make sure that the species you are buying will be safe to place in the same tank as your goldfish.
Can pleco live with guppies?
Catfish. Several families of catfish make great companions for guppies.
Some plecos, also known as suckermouth catfish, will get along well with guppies
. However, the common pleco actually grows much too large to share a tank with guppies.
Are plecos dirty fish?
Myth #1: “A pleco will clean your tank!”
Plecos are messy fish which produce a lot of waste
(and no, they don't eat poop). They requre heavy filtration and lots of water changes. Having a pleco is NOT a substitute for regularly cleaning your tank, doing water changes and vacuuming your substrate to remove waste.
Do plecos clean tanks?
No, plecos don't really clean your tank
. Many people assume that because plecos are bottom-dwelling catfish, they will clean the tank. However, plecos only occasionally eat algae and may prevent algae blooms, but they can't clean or scrape algae entirely from the tank.
How fast do plecos grow?
Generally, bristlenose pleco fry tend to grow very slowly, staying under an inch in length during their first three months of life. After three months, they usually hit a growth spurt, growing an extra two or three inches until they reach six months of age. By this point, you can start to sex and breed them.
Is pleco a janitor fish?
Plecos are often called “janitor fish”
because they are scavengers and will eat and clean up almost anything. They are recommended for beginning aquarists.
Do janitor fish eat fish poop?
There is no fish that will eat poop in an aquarium
. Occasionally fish are seen chewing on fish poop, but that is because they mistake it for food. Even catfish, plecos, or shrimp do not eat fish poop. The only way to remove fish poop is to use a gravel vacuum and remove it manually.
How long can janitor fish live without water?
Pterygoplichthys are known for being kept out of water and sold alive in fish markets, surviving up to
30 hours
out of water.
