Care guide
Pleco care guide
Plecos are not a cleaning service — they are big, hungry catfish with real needs. Choose the right species and they are one of the most rewarding fish you can keep.
Pick the right species
The common pleco sold in chain stores reaches 45cm and needs a 400+ litre tank. Bristlenose plecos stay around 12cm and suit a normal home aquarium.
- Bristlenose: 12cm, 90+ litres
- Clown pleco: 9cm, 75+ litres
- Common pleco: avoid unless you have a very large tank
Wood is not optional
Most small plecos rasp on driftwood to digest their food. A tank without wood leads to a slow decline.
- Add bogwood, mopani or spiderwood
- Expect tannins to tint the water — harmless
- Provide a cave or shaded spot; plecos are nocturnal
Feeding
They will not survive on leftovers. Feed after lights out so shy fish get their share.
- Sinking algae wafers most nights
- Blanched courgette, cucumber and sweet potato
- Occasional protein — bloodworm or a catfish pellet
Water & maintenance
Plecos are messy and produce a lot of waste, so filtration and water changes matter more than with small fish.
- Temperature 23–27°C
- pH 6.5–7.8
- 25% weekly water change and regular substrate vacuuming
- Good flow and oxygenation
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