Common pleco
Pterygoplichthys pardalis
Photo: Dquai · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Adult size
- 35 cm14 in
- Start with
- 1
- Tank length
- 180 cmabout 6 ft (71 in)
- Lifespan
- 10–20 yrs
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C73–82 °F
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness
- 3–20 dGH
- Diet
- herbivore
Small shop juveniles become bulky adults needing a very large home.Small shop juveniles become bulky adults needing a very large home.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
Common goldfishNo shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
Fancy goldfishNarrow shared temperature rangeNarrow shared temperature range
German blue ramNarrow shared temperature rangeNarrow shared temperature range
Rosy barbNarrow shared temperature rangeNarrow shared temperature range
DiscusNarrow shared temperature rangeNarrow shared temperature range
White cloud mountain minnowNo shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
Bee shrimpNarrow shared temperature rangeNarrow shared temperature range
MarimoEats or uproots plants.Eats or uproots plants.
Anubias nanaEats or uproots plants.Eats or uproots plants.
BacopaEats or uproots plants.Eats or uproots plants.
BucephalandraEats or uproots plants.Eats or uproots plants.
HornwortEats or uproots plants.Eats or uproots plants.
Sources
| temperature | 23–28 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
|---|---|---|
| ph | 6–8 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| gh | 3–20 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| origin | South America | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| notes | Small shop juveniles become bulky adults needing a very large home. | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| beginner friendly | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| color palette | #6A5744 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| swim zone | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| temperament | semi-aggressive | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| fin nipper | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| long finned | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| territorial | true | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling min | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| diet | herbivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| lifespan years | 10–20 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| growth to adult months | 24 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| length weight | {"a":0.006,"b":3} | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| planted safe | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| min tank length | 180 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| body shape | pleco | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |