Info on some of the most common plecos

[Thedaniokeeper]

I got bored, so if you Purchased a random plec like I did, let me help you out!
I know that there is species Identification, but the main purpose of this is to give deeper notes about some more common plecs, as opposed to Some info on all plecos.
PICTURES ARE NOT MINE WITH THE EXEPTION OF THE COMMON PLECO


Common Pleco, L021, L023
These plecos are absolute rocks. They could likey survive out of water if they wanted to. The only issues are that they need driftwood and would like hidey holes. They are a vegetarian species and so can even be kept with fry most of the time, but no other plecos or usual pleco haters like discus and bichirs. They also poop you a new substrate every week when they are larger, and some even achieve trick pooping (my pleco once pooped on his own head, and into a danios mouth, on two seperate occasions.) commons are an amazing fish, but due to pooping and their max size of 18 inches, they need large tanks. I would reccomend adopting a larger specimen will make him eternally thankful, though you may have to catch him in a filter sump full of dead crickets and bioballs like I did .

Overview:

Min tank size: 125 gallons fully grown, but they grow relatively slowly.

Tankmates: No African Cichlids, Other plecos, wide sided or slow moving fish, no fish that can eat the pleco (not many)

Diet: algae wafers are best, use human food veggies and (slime coats) as an occasional treat. Will also eat whatever is offered to the rest of the tank.
Max size: 18"

Water: not picky, but prefers clean, soft water, temp 70-79, and pH of 6.5

Area: Yours came from spawning pits in Florida and SE Asia.

Appearance:

 

[Thedaniokeeper]

Name: Ottoiniclus catfish, Ottos
Ottos are related to plecos, but are much smaller and have a different Iris structure (like it matters). They are strictly veg and slime coat itarian. These fish actually are useful for eating algae, but are also good in shoals for the small tank pleco lover. They do not poop much, and stay at a humble 1" or so. Ottos still need other food in the tank if plant life is not there. They are easy to keep, and love cucumbers and feeding blocks as treats. Peaceful to everything, watch that this cutie is not being bullied in his new home. Active at day, these fish are great for the begginner. They also do not live long, so not as much pressure as with the other plecos.

Overview:
Minimum tank size: 5 gallons-10 gallons

Tankmates: anything that won't eat them, no gourami/discus types.

Water: Soft, water, temp around 74 being best.

size: 1"

Area: Rivers in South America.

Appearance:

 

[Thedaniokeeper]

Name: Bristlenose pleco
Bristle nose plecos are one of the the nicest species, even being mostly safe with discus types. they actually clean the tank, so good for those purposes, but must be fed more often than ottos. They appreciate driftwood in their tank, and such will help their digestive system. They are the average size for a pleco, around 5", give or take. The females do not have the distinctive bristles, and are more likely to mate with males with larger bristles, like us.
Bristle nose plecos breed by laying about 400 orange eggs into a small crevice or cave. The male then proceeds in defending them. Though peaceful, bristle noses can defend themselves quite well in combat.

Overview:

Min tank size: around 30 gallons

Size: around 5", some specimens getting as large as 7", but this is rare

Tankmates: anything short of 15" or africans. Tose dislike bristlenoses. Discus come with risks.

Origin: Are now commonly tank bred

Water: 70-80 degrees, otherwise unpicky.

Appearance:

 

[Thedaniokeeper]

Name; Trinidad Pleco
Trinidads are the other "commons", but only reach a foot long and need smaller tanks. Like all plecos, these fish are bursting at the seams with personality and like softer water. I personally do not know much about them, but I do know that they are notorious poopers and produce rediculous amounts of waste. They like driftwood in their tank and a sand substrate so they can redecotate. As with all large plecos, ligter plants will be uprooted, so tie them to something! These fish follow similar compatibility rules with L021, but can eat tiny tankmates like fry and guppies, so be careful! These fish also do not appreciate the company of other plecos unless they are in a horde.

Overview:

Max size: 12 inches

Tankmates: no discus, No african cichlids, no Plecos, and no guppie-types.

Water: typical for plecs, 70-80 degrees, soft

Minimum tank size: 55 gallons specimen, 75 gallons community

Appearance:

 

[Mad About Cichlids]

Great thread.

 

[Weylin]

Yeah, lots of info..

Thanks and keep up the good work..

 

[Mad About Cichlids]

Can someone make one for L091?

Hope we can get this sticky once there's more profiles

 

[wingate2581]

Can someone make one for L091?

Hope we can get this sticky once there's more profiles

Leporacanthicus Triactis (L-091)
Common name: three beacon pleco

Growth: aproximately 10"

Diet: Not a true vegetarian. Feed zuchinni, cucumber, algae wafers, and some meatier foods such as blood worms, brine, and market prawn for a varied diet.

Identification: Main body color can vary from light to dark brown with yellow to orange coloration on all unpaired fins. Males tend to be more elongated with more odontal growth on pectorals and body in comparison to females.

 

[Edwin]

nice info.. super nice L-091

 

[Yanbbrox]

Great info thanks for the thread, just a note on the commons being like rocks, I moved out and it jumped out the net to the floor on a four foot drop. Smashed it's fins up good and proper, hid in the new tank for a day and within 2 weeks was perfect again