Common pleco size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 45 cm. The largest on record measured 57.8 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 19 Loricariidae species on LumaReef: 3.3 cm (Otocinclus) to 58.8 cm (Megalancistrus parananus).

Common pleco tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 250 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Showcase tank or larger.

Common pleco water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 2–15 °dGH. Close to what most Loricariidae on LumaReef need (24–28 °C).

Common pleco tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 83 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Freshwater angelfish, Bristlenose pleco, and Swordtail.

Common pleco and plants: is it plant safe?

No, it may eat or uproot plants.

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Common pleco

Pterygoplichthys pardalis

Heavy and slow; it rasps the glass at night and never moves by day.

The Common pleco (Pterygoplichthys pardalis) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae. It lives on the bottom. Adults grow to about 45 cm; the largest on record measured 57.8 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 250 cm long and water at 22–28 °C.

Size: 45 cm
Smallest tank: 250 cm
Temperature: 22–28 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature22–28 °C

pH6.0–7.6

Hardness2–15 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Eats plants

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litresToo small
Living room180 cm · 650 litresToo small
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres15 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres18 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along83 species

and 59 more species

Caution7 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: On the bottom
Largest on record: 57.8 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderSiluriformes
FamilyLoricariidae
GenusPterygoplichthys
SpeciesPterygoplichthys pardalis
Described byCastelnau, 1855

In other languages

English: Amazon sailfin catfish
Spanish: Pleco del Amazonas
Japanese: アマゾンセイルフィンキャットフィッシュ
Chinese: 豹紋翼甲鯰

Quick answers

Common pleco size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 45 cm. The largest on record measured 57.8 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 19 Loricariidae species on LumaReef: 3.3 cm (Otocinclus) to 58.8 cm (Megalancistrus parananus).
Common pleco tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 250 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Showcase tank or larger.
Common pleco water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 2–15 °dGH. Close to what most Loricariidae on LumaReef need (24–28 °C).
Common pleco tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 83 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Freshwater angelfish, Bristlenose pleco, and Swordtail.
Common pleco: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Common pleco and plants: is it plant safe?: No, it may eat or uproot plants.