Common pleco care

Water temperature

72–86°F

A common pleco wants water at 72–86°F, pH 6.5–7.5, and a tank of 125 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include oscars, bala sharks, kissing gouramis.

Sold tiny, grows past a foot. May rasp the slime coat of slow flat fish at night.

Pterygoplichthys pardalis

pH: 6.5–7.5
Minimum tank: 125 gal
Adult size: 15.0 in
Temperament: Peaceful
Group: Alone or in pairs
Lifespan: 10–15 years
Swims at: Bottom
Diet: Herbivore

Best tank mates

Full common pleco tank mate chart: 13 yes, 76 with care, 9 no

Common pleco water compared

Common pleco next to its best tank mates. Overlap is what lets two species share a heater setting.

pH range. Tap water in most US cities sits between 7 and 8.

Adult size to scale.

Fish to keep away from plecos

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); plecos need 72–86°F. No temperature suits both.
Angelfish Plecos sometimes latch on to slow, flat fish like angelfish and rasp their slime coat.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); plecos need 72–86°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Jack Dempsey Jack dempseys are aggressive and will bully peaceful plecos.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 15 inches plecos do.
Flowerhorn Flowerhorns are aggressive and will bully peaceful plecos.
Discus Plecos sometimes latch on to slow, flat fish like discus and rasp their slime coat.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); plecos need 72–86°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.