Note: a few other plecos are known as common pleco and it can be difficult to distinguish between them

Common Name:Common Pleco

Scientific Name:Hypostomus punctatus

Family:Loricariidae

Origin:Rio Janeiro

Diet:Herbivore

Temperament:Peaceful, larger H. punctatus will become territorial towards other H. punctatus.

Average Size:12 inches for this species

Gender:Unknown

Perferred Water Conditions:Not sensitive or particular to water, but acclimate slowly to vast changes in ph. Not particular about temp, anywhere from 72-86 F though once again acclimate slowly to changes, no more than 1 degree every 2days, preferably 3.

Care: Not a picky eater, will eat flakes settled on the bottom, algae (though it will need a supplemented diet besides algae), lettuce, peas, zuccini, spinach, shrimp pellets, algae biscuits, bottom feeder pellets. Though not particularly nocturnal, during the night he will travel the tank feasting on what he can find, feeding at night along with your other catfish is a good idea.

Author:Obsidian

Image Credit:Obsidian