Growth of Common Pleco

[Zoo_Keeper]

Common pleco can get huge. I have a foot long one now. I've seen them 20"+

But usually how long does it take them to get to that size? My guy is only about 3 inches long. I'm also wondering if he is a boy or girl. His name is Ollie. I can try and get some pictures but they won't be good as it will be on my phone.

 

[Warborg]

Wait I thought plecos suck the slime
Coats off my fish so I've never kept one that's why

They do if they are not fed. Many owners assume they will eat leftovers from the other fish. Plecos need their own food.

But usually how long does it take them to get to that size?

This question can be answered with one word... conditions!

ALL fish will grow differently due to their conditions. Water conditions include type of water(PH, temp and how clean it is).

The size of the tank can affect them too. A 10gal is ok for a 2 inch pleco but as he grows it becomes more and more a coffin for him as they CAN die from the lack of room.

Another condition is his tankmates. Ex: I had a 4inch pleco that due to moving I had to put him in a 55 with an 8 inch. The 8 inch controls the tank thus almost 2 years later the 4 inch is only about 6.5 inches now.

Years ago (the 90's) I had 2 baby plecos that got along with each other, and grew to 17 inches(both of them) in nearly the same time.

 

[saltymaster]

all fish growth rate depends on tank size, water quality, water chemistry, and diet. keep up on regular water changes, higher temp will yield higher growth rates, try blanched zucchini, and other veggies, also get him in a new tank and watch him grow. they are not super fast growers. my biggest common pleco (hypostomus plecostomus) is at a foot long and took probably 3 years in a 135g tank. that is from birth.

 

[Lhop1980]

But usually how long does it take them to get to that size? My guy is only about 3 inches long. I'm also wondering if he is a boy or girl. His name is Ollie. I can try and get some pictures but they won't be good as it will be on my phone.

They grow fastest when younger. Mine was about 3 inches when I got him and that was a little over two years ago. They are nocturnal so feed them when the lights are off. I just give mine algae wafers, but im sure there are other options if you wanted to put variety into his diet. I'm no good at sexing them though, but yeah try and post some pics when you get a chance.

 

[theunytedone]

mine is almost able to be hand fed. mouth is huuuuuge hehehe...netted him in the wild a few weeks back. hes about 11in now. (see sig)....he defends his food from the oscars too. its super cool to watch,.,..

+1 for the slime coat.

 

[chronic_]

I really like my common pleco! he's very active and doesn't take any crap from my oscar or JD.
He's about a foot long, however he is 13 years old give or take and should be alot larger, but thats because when my parents owned him, he lived in a tiny 55g tank with awful water conditions. He probably should be much bigger than he is given his age, but he's healthy and super active, so thats great!

 

[Enemyarms]

You kept him in a 10 gal... why don't you try living in a phone booth????

That being said... I have one in my 75, had him since about 2" and now he's about 8"... been about 4 years. I feed him sparringly, as he gets snacks from other fishes leftover foods. The more you feed it, the more it will grow.

I work at petsmart, some times i want to smack employees. They get 24 inches at adult size, but that takes years. My gf's tank has one in it and within a year of just cleaning the tank glass he went from about an inch upto 9ish. If he was getting good food, he would grown more. Go to petsmart and just get a rubber lip, they hide a lot but only grow to 5 inches at adult size.

 

[bonesb66]

I've had mine about 8 months now my friend the same and we have experienced no growth what so ever really, well we got them at about 2 inches and they are probably 4 inches now but saying that we dont feed them we just let them live of algae or what ever left over prawn the current sweeps into his cave so he doesnt get fed much . . . guess thats the key really

 

[chronic_]

If I dont feed mine regularily he gets very upset and starts fights with my oscar and terrorizes other fish.

 

[pauly187]

i feed mine 4 times a week sinking pellots just one
then a zucini maybe once or twice a month
i dont like the zucini though cause it tends to cloud up the water i feel.