Common pleco - Hypostomus punctatus

Scientific name: Hypostomus punctatus

Common name: Common pleco

Family: Loricariidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 20 - 30 cm (7.87 - 11.81 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 5 - 8

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 20°N (71.43 - 357.14ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Feeding

Vegetables, granules, beef heart, carrot, algae.

Sexing

Like other plecos, females are rounder than males.

Breeding

Egg-layers. You need really big tank and a lot of substrate since they digg holes for eggs. Breeding tank size should be 3000 litres at least. Substrate depth 30 cm or more.

Lifespan

Up to 10 years in captivity. Usually less.

Additional info

Pleco is very good decision how to fight against algae. On the other side, you shouldn’t keep these beautiful fish in small tanks because of the size. Hypostomus punctatus will adapt to most conditions, however I’d keep it in clean water with stable chemistry and conditions. Generally, all fish species do like conditions where they can breed and live easily.

Picture

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.