PLECO
Hypostomus Plecostomus
GENERAL INFORMATION
|
|
DESCRIPTION A large sucker-mouth catfish with armor plating and beutiful dark brown markings. SIZE I don't have any written information but I have seen pleco's over 50 cm long. APPEAL The Pleco is a beautiful large fish that also doubles as an algae remover. The Pleco's fecal matter also makes excellent plant fertiliser. Although nocturnal and sometimes reclusive by day, it can often be seen scrounging for food during daylight hours. This is a spectacular fish when it gets big. |
Plecos are sometimes available through the aquarium trade but they are very expensive.
MAINTENANCE OF CAPTIVE SPECIMENS
SUITABILITY
|
Advantages: Happy in a standard aquarium (120 cm or more). Does not eat other fish. Can be territorial bur rarely will harass other fish. Not particularly sensitive to harassment. Easy to feed. Eats algae, wood and sinking pellets. Not particularly sensitive to water quality. Happy in a tropical tank. Does not disturb plants. |
Disadvantages: Grows to a large size. I don't know how this fish behaves with other Plecos. Can be killed by aquarium medications. |
Suitable for the beginner.
AQUARIUM CONDITIONS
| Minimum aquarium size: | 120 cm X 40 cm. |
| Water temperature: | 25 C. |
| Water salinity: | Freshwater only. |
| Filtration & oxygenation: | Water needs to be kept clean and well oxygenated. |
| Lighting: | Not critical. |
| Plants: | Pleco feces make excellent plant fertiliser. |
| Furnishings: | Wood is essential for the Pleco's diet. Ensure suitably large pieces of drift wood are available. |
| Notes: |
AQUARIUM BEHAVIOR
Pleco's are primarily nocturnal but will forage during the day. They remain attached by their mouth to a surface almost all the time.
FEEDING HABITS
Pleco's eat algae and plant matter from any surface. They use their sucker mouth to cling onto a surface and rasp off any food particles. The average aquarium cannot grow enough algae for even one Pleco so their diet should be supplemented with sinking pellets. I use rabbit pellets and algae wafers. They also need wood in their diet so furnish their tank with driftwood.
FISH KEEPING RECOMMENDATIONS
As long as the Pleco has good water quality and plenty of food and wood, it will be happy. The Pleco is both armored and has poisonous spines so that it can defend itself from aggressive fish.
|
|
|
My Pleco simply refuses to be photographed! |
OUR FISH
SPECIMEN DETAILS
I keep one large fish.
USEFUL LINKS
Contains user submitted comments on this fish and an image
Aquaria central - The plecostomus catfish
Contain keeping details and an image
Created by Alexander and Elisabeth Foreman.
Page constructed by Alexander Foreman.
Copywrite (c) Alexander Foreman
