🐡 Common Pleco Hypostomus plecostomus

The Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) is a moderate-care, semi-aggressive species from South America. Adults reach roughly 18", so plan on a minimum tank of 125 gallons. Keep the water between 72–82°F with a pH of 6.5–7.8. It does not school and can be kept singly or in species-appropriate numbers. As a herbivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Common Pleco

Clown LoachKissing GouramiGiant GouramiSeverumFrontosaDojo LoachBala SharkBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirCommon GoldfishFancy GoldfishTinfoil BarbSnakeskin GouramiGold SeverumChocolate CichlidStriped Raphael CatfishRed-Tail Tinfoil BarbWeather LoachHorseface LoachRoyal Pleco (L190)

Avoid these tankmates

Cherry ShrimpBlue Dream ShrimpYellow ShrimpBlack Diamond Shrimp

See the full tankmate guide for Common Pleco →