Common Pleco
Hypostomus plecostomus
Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) is a freshwater species with an adult-size reference of about 45 cm. It needs at least 500 litres and one individual, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Temperatura da água
22 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
6.5 - 8
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
45 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 500 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
GH
4 - 15 dGH
KH
2 - 7 dKH
TDS
80 - 295 ppm
Condutividade
125 - 461 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Hypostomus plecostomus; the verified classification records genus Hypostomus, family Loricariidae, subfamily Hypostominae, order Siluriformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Common Pleco is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The minimum reference is one individual; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Common Pleco needs an aquarium of at least 500 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of one individual. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a freshwater species; the card's reference values are 22–28 °C, pH 6.5–8. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally territorial temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “not routinely documented in home aquaria”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
A freshwater species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origem
Amazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Territorial
- Common Pleco has a generally territorial temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- While primarily herbivorous as juveniles, their diet expands to become more omnivorous with age. They require large amounts of algae wafers, fresh vegetables, and driftwood to graze on. Meaty foods like bloodworms and shrimp pellets should be offered occasionally to adult specimens.
- Expectativa de vida
- 10-15 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 45 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Solitary
- Common Pleco is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The reference minimum is one individual and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Once daily
- Feed them daily, preferably in the evening just before turning off the aquarium lights. Being nocturnal, they are most active and prone to eating in the dark. Always remove leftover fresh vegetables the following morning.
- Carga biológica
- Extreme
- This large species produces a massive amount of waste, resulting in a very high bioload. As they grow, their waste production becomes a significant challenge for water quality. Heavy-duty canister filtration and frequent, large water changes are absolutely necessary.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- They tolerate a wide range of flow conditions but prefer moderate to strong currents. The strong flow helps replicate their native river environments and ensures high dissolved oxygen levels. Large powerheads are beneficial for maintaining this flow.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- Jumping risk is minimal, though large individuals can easily splash water out of the tank. They are incredibly powerful and can dislodge poorly secured aquarium lids. A heavy, secure canopy is required to keep them contained and protect equipment.
- Reprodução
- Impossible (deep cave spawner)
- Breeding them in a home aquarium is exceedingly rare due to their large size. They typically spawn in deep mud burrows along riverbanks in the wild. Commercial breeding is mostly done in large outdoor ponds.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- With caution
- The cohabitation profile is a species to combine with caution, with a generally territorial temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- They exclusively inhabit the bottom levels and the glass surfaces of the aquarium. They require expansive floor space and large caves or driftwood structures for hiding. They will outgrow standard tanks quickly and need enormous enclosures.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 2,5 ± 0,26 se
- Resiliência
- Média (1,4 - 4,4 anos)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.01905, b = 2.95
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (20 / 100)
Galeria de imagens
Imagens licenciadas vinculadas à espécie ou, quando marcadas, ao táxon representativo mais próximo.
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