Stats

Lifespan: 10-15 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: South America
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Armor
Status: Rare

About

The common pleco is a heavily armoured freshwater catfish from South American rivers, covered in bony plates called scutes that protect it from predators. Beloved in home aquaria for grazing algae from glass and driftwood, it can grow over 50 cm long — far larger than most hobbyists expect.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling fry
A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genus: Hypostomus
Species: Hypostomus plecostomus