Behavior. If you don’t have enough space for them, just sell them to someone who does. But not all plecos grow this big. For example, since plecos are nocturnal animals, you can give it an algae wafer when you go to bed. Just to give a guide on the gibbi side, average is and usually around 8-11 inches within the first 12 months given the right conditions, but like simonas has mentioned, growth will differ with different/better feeding and tank maintenance regimes. If you plan to buy pleco fish, make sure you do everything as the chosen breed needs it. I will list these smaller breed plecos in this article below. For 2 or 3 plecos that are fully grown, a 150-gallon fish tank is required. Red Devil Plecos are found in clear, fast flowing, highly oxygenated warm water rivers and streams and are mostly a nocturnal species. The Bristlenose Catfish is one of the smallest aquarium catfish, and will grow up to an average of 3-5 inches. AA Team Emeritus . He lives in a 55gal aquarium with cichlids and does just fine. Their growth does take some time and some may not grow outside of what their tank size allows for. Maybe you already have a pleco fish or you want to buy one, you should know that pleco fish can grow quite a bit in size. • Your IP: 103.130.218.42 This one is among the most expensive on the list. There are many pleco fish that won’t grow huge during their life. It’s best to keep them in small groups, because they like to school or swarm together. If you plan to buy it, be prepared for higher prices. If it is one off the big guys it can grow a few inches a yr. easy. These are the ones I will introduce to you: This version is the most popular small pleco. Most of the time, a 30-gallon aquarium will do just fine. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The two main pieces of information to take away from this article regarding the Bristlenose Pleco diet is that they are bottom feeding fish, and are predominantly vegetarian. The Zebra Pleco is a very shy breed, that needs a lot of hiding places in its environment, like caves. SmartAquariumGuide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 5 Best Food for Pleco Fish – How to Feed Plecos? At times, they will remain between 3-4 inches for a long minute, and out of nowhere, they shot up to 6 inches. It’s quite obvious, given they only grow to 4- or 5-inches long. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I mentioned above that plecos are omnivores. SmartAquariumGuide.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. A Common Pleco will grow to its full size during its whole lifespan (15-20 years). But if you want to, you can do that. What Do Bristlenose Plecos Eat? This answer also depends on the type of pleco you own. 1; 2; Next. Plecos. It can grow up to 3-5 inches in its first year. I have a sailfin pleco thats 6 yrs old, and it grew another 3 inches last year. I bought a pleco reg size from a petstore. Within their 15-20 year lifespan, they can sometimes grow up to 2 feet long. It looks like a maze. The most important aspect that makes the Queen expensive is the special look. Oct 12, 2004 #1 ... Oct 12, 2004 #1 My clown pleco is a little bit over an inch long. This mostly depends on the breed you personally have. Pleco catfish is a popular aquarium fish among fish keepers. I know I will need to get something bigger as they grow, but they are so tiny (less than an inch) I think it would look bad to have them in a big tank now, you wouldn't even see the fish. If nobody wants to buy them, then give them away. Let me tell you first what you must not do: do not release the pleco into the wild! – read more. Plecos are a hardy species of aquarium fish capable of surviving varying environments. Posts: 2,764 If you feed them properly, they grow very fast. A Common Pleco will grow to its full size during its whole lifespan (15-20 years). Jul 14, 2003 1,839 0 0 53 Michigan, USA www.care4fish.com. I have a ten gallon tank and was originally planning on getting some cories. The exact details for breeding pleco fish aren’t very clear up to this point. That’s why most people who want to buy a pleco, settle for only 1. It has a relatively long lifespan of about 12 years if they live under suitable conditions. Twelve Ty, the blacklight betta. trending . … All of these fish produce lots of waste and need lots of swimming space. Comets can grow up to 2 feet in length, orandas can grow over 8 inches and plecos can grow over a foot long. They are beginning to show some territorial behavior though. The reason for this, is that the Clown Pleco’s main source of food is driftwood. Required fields are marked *. Generic name Hypancistrus originates from two Greek words “hypo” and “ἄγκιστρον”, which mean ‘lower’ and ‘hook’. However, it takes a long period of time for them to grow this big. So, never release them like that. Your email address will not be published. The river bed has lots of stones and pebbles of various size with small grained sand between them. If I purchased 6 snow whites from you, how much would they cost? But be aware that it’s the most expensive as well. They have a flattened body covered in bony plates, and as they reach maturity, they sprout tentacle like branches from their head. With bristlenose plecos, its hard to state a specific growth rate. Go. 03/04/2020. Also, when do the males start getting their bristles? It’s quite obvious, given they only grow … I am going to get more tetras soon to add to their schools. Join Date: Jun 2005. The Pitbull Plecos are probably the smallest plecos in this category: they only grow to 3 inches big. Pleco catfish (Plecostomus) can grow up to 24 inches (60 cm) in size. Sep 23, 2003 #1 Does anyone know how fast a common pleco will go? They all have similar habits and requirements, so this article is of interest even if you do not know exactly which species of pleco you keep. © Copyright 2021 - SmartAquariumGuide. However, when it grows, you’ll need to give it more consistent food. Location: Whitby, Ont,Canada. And I know that tetras and bettas both do great with cory catfish. 17/05/2020. Disclosure: I may earn a commission when you purchase through my affiliate links. Many people who own such small plecos, refer to them as exotic plecos. Description of your first forum. It is considered that catfish habitat is a … For such fish, you need special conditions, especially if you keep them in an aquarium. Pleco size. Most plecos that were living in captivity, won’t survive in the wild. A bristlenose pleco will grow to around 5 inches in size and are the most popular small pleco that you’re going to see. Most of these, only grow to 4 or 5 inches long. Faster growing plants such as java moss are ideal. Also, consider that the Rubber Lip Pleco is quite cheap compared to the others on this list. It has a wider head, and is much shorter, fatter and flatter than the Common Pleco.. But there’s one aspect about most of them, that you should know before buying any: these plecos are more expensive than the Common Pleco that grows big. Why? And a real plus: they will clean the tank as a hobby. In the aquarium, plecos can grow up to 18 inches (46 cm) long! Also, the bottom of the tank, should be covered with sand or a softer rounded gravel. Next Last. You need a lot of space for such a tank. Bristlenose Pleco. It grows about the same length, and it even looks similar. Something great about this type of pleco, is the fact that you can put it together with almost any other tropical fish species in the tank. How fast are baby bushy nose plecos supposed to grow? Keep in mind though that the Queen needs warmer waters, than most plecos. That’s because they like to clean the bottom, by rolling the gravel in their mouth. The small plecos listed above, will reach their full size quicker than the Common Pleco. Do a thorough research before you make a purchase. Because the Clown is so small, other fish could mistake it for food. Right now I have them in a 10 gallon tank, because its all I had on hand and I wanted to get them out of that bowl as fast as I could. The Common Pleco is the most popular type among this species. Moh T. How large do they grow up to? And this works only if you have 1 Common Pleco in the tank. Go. Sep 14, 2003 519 0 0 38 www.geocities.com. Another reason that they are popular is the long lifespan that they have. They are a great option for anyone that has never had plecos before. Pleco G. Max size is 3-4 inches. Because of this, you’ll need a way bigger tank than 30-gallons, when they grow large. Common plecos have been known to grow up to 24 inches, so I'd advise you get rid of it as soon as possible. At first, when you buy plecos, they are only 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. They can grow up to a length of 10 cm weighing about 4g over a 10 – 15 lifespan. I have a sailfin pleco (Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps?) In this article, we talked about pleco fish growth. All Rights Reserved. You can find it at pretty much any pet shop. Zebra pleco is endemic of Brazil river Xingu, Amazon river tributary. How fast do they normally grow and what is their max size? It grows up to 24 inches long, as mentioned above. Also, don’t put much larger fish in the same tank as this breed. Cloudflare Ray ID: 61280d1d38e501b8 Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. You can choose a smaller species of pleco, like the Golden nugget, Zebra, Clown, or Bristlenose pleco, if you have a tank smaller than 100 gallons (380 L). How fast do Plecos grow? If you want a “hard working” fish, the Rubber Lip Pleco might be a good choice. How long it takes for pleco fish to grow out? • Usually, 2 algae wafers are enough for a pleco during the span of 1 day. This mostly depends on the breed you personally have. Right now I have two glowlight tetras, two neon tetras, and a male crowntail betta. There are certain breeds that stay smaller all their life. _____ 06-12-2005, 10:03 PM #9: BillD. Usually, it isn’t recommended to keep more than 1 Common Pleco in your aquarium. 1 of 2 Go to page. The Rubber Lip Pleco is quite similar to the Bristlenose from above. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. This one grows to only 4 inches big. Like its name suggests, it looks entirely like a zebra, only it’s a fish. 18/05/2020. The small plecos need just over a year from hatching to reach a mature size of 4 ìnches or so. Bristlenose Pleco – Care, Feeding, Breeding, Requirements & Tank Mates. And be really careful about the tank itself. For instance, a Common Pleco is fully developed, before it reaches full growth. It’s probably the most beautiful pleco on this list. Set up everything accordingly, to meet the requirements. Abigail S. Would you ship the plecos? Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. However, there are exceptions: some reach full growth in less time, but this isn’t very common. How fast do plecos grow? At times, they will remain between 3-4 inches for a long minute, and out of nowhere, they shot up to 6 inches. Common plecos grow really big, bristlenose plecos grow to maximum size of 4 inches. In most cases, a pleco should be fully developed before you start breeding. aquariumfishguy Social Regular. It's pretty easy for your Pleco to outgrow smaller tanks in the 30-55 gallon range. It has a black and white pattern covering all of its body. Red Devil Pleco (Pseudacanthicus pirarara) The leading edges of the fins of Pseudacanthicus pirarara are colored scarlet to reddish orange, which is most pronounced on their dorsal and caudal fins. It can live up to 20 years in a well-kept home aquarium. The most popular type that grows this big, is the Common Pleco. Plecos. Make sure you have a lot of driftwood in the tank where you keep this fish. This means you’ll need an aquarium larger than 100 gallons (380 L). How fast do goldfish grow? which is only now a little smaller than 2 inches...I have him in a 20g tank (no other catfish)...How long does it take before it reaches full size? Bristlenose Plecos do have protection all over their bodies to prevent injury from small aggressive fish. What should you do then? The only problem is the tank. Did your pleco reach its full size, but you don’t have enough space for such a specimen. The name Common Pleco is used for a lot of different brown-mottled Plecos that grow rather big in the aquarium. This is a quite wide river with average temperature about 32°C. growth rate of bristlenose plecos how fast do bristlenose catfish grow how fast do bristlenose pleco grow how long do bristlenose fry take to grow how long does it take bristlenose pleco to grow how long for bristlenose to grow click to view entries! Comets live an average of about 25+ years and orandas live an average of 15 - 20 years. Though, you should be aware, that there are different types of plecos, which will grow only up to 3-5 inches (7-15 cm) in size. by MN » Tue, 06 Nov 2001 06:02:34 . Sep 30, 2004 53 0 0 California. Obviously, the fish obtained its generic name “zebra” due to the similarity of its coloring to black and white one of African zebra. At first, I mentioned that pleco fish (not all of them) can grow up to 24 inches long. Buy one that’s big enough even if your plecos grow to full size. Otherwise, they won’t thrive in their new home. However, look on Aquabid for plecos for better deals, I got 5 albino bristlenoses for $29.00 total including shipping. If the wafer is gone by the morning, you can give it another one. As far as growth goes, it won’t get bigger than 4 inches. One distinctively observable behavioral trait zebra plecos are noted for is their timidity. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. If so how much? However, they usually grow to full size before their first five years. 15 Best Bristlenose Pleco Fish Tank Mates (Beginner Friendly). Keeping that fish in a small tank longer will only stunt its … I was given three gold fish in a bowl. How fast do plecos grow? How Fast can Pleco Fish Grow? If you can’t afford a huge tank, like above, any of these plecos could be a good alternative. A goldfish may still be growing after 5 years. Can pleco fish grow to full size in aquariums? But how big do plecos get? As it grows longer from 2-4 inches it needs a tank of at least 80 gallons and eventually, when full in size, up to 150 gallons. SimonWoodstock Lush. But, it’s best to just keep things as peaceful as possible. How fast do plecos grow? Especially because the Clown Pleco is a peaceful breed. But first, let’s see what is the minimum tank size requirement for common pleco (Plecostomus) catfish? Let’s talk about some of these now. Pleco Fish Tank Conditions. 1 of 2 Go to page. If you own small plecos, you can start the breeding sooner. They could be even smaller than that. Moreover, the common pleco grows very large, very quick. 18/05/2020. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. But if you decide to do that, know that a 30-gallon fish tank is required to make them feel at home. Hi! So, keeping it together with other small tropical fish won’t be an issue. This combination of dense debris and vegetation helps to make them feel safe and secure. Alison S. Hi, do you post at all? Your email address will not be published. How can you tell if a Bristlenose Pleco is male or female? A Rubber Lip Pleco can clean a whole 30-gallon fish tank from algae by itself. After then the growth proceeds in an almost … Pairing them with aggressive fish that constantly attacks them will only lead to stress-related health issues. Most people who own large plecos, are using aquariums of at least 80 gallons in volume. Also, you have to provide it with a warmer water environment, than most other tropical fish need. If you want the most exquisite looking fish, go for the Zebra Pleco. The reason for that is because they are great fish to watch while also being widely available and quite cheap. 3 post • Page:1 of 1. After that, you learned about 6 different pleco breeds, that won’t grow big. Next Last. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. Pleco G. No sorry. This way, you can avoid the huge tank, that is necessary for multiple plecos to thrive in. The small plecos listed above, will reach their full size quicker than the Common Pleco. Common plecos grow fast in their first year, after which the growth rate slows down. It is very peaceful and lives without any issues in a community tank. Smaller plecos can live in a 10-gallon tank whereas larger species such as Bristlenose require at least a tank of 150 gallons. I'm not sure about plecos though. 1; 2; Next. 03/04/2020. If you want to try though, wait until your pleco develops all its functions fully. Keeping them in a 10 gallon is not acceptable. As mentioned in the dietary needs section (below) you should also make sure they always have access to driftwood to nibble on. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. The maximal lifespan of common plecos is not known, but it is believed to be around 20-30 years in captivity. https://pethelpful.com/fish-aquariums/How_Big_Does_A_Plecostomus_Get The size varies according to the species of pleco fish. For multiple plecos, you’ll need an even bigger tank, than just 80 gallons. Also, I gave you some advice about the aquarium you need to house such big fish. Not many people try to breed them, because it’s quite hard to do so. However, there are exceptions: some reach full growth in less time, but this isn’t very common. Before you do that though, make sure the one who receives your fish, has a big enough aquarium for housing big plecos. But don’t forget: this aquarium is good only when they’re still small. I have had my babies for about 3-4 months and the largest are only about two inches and there are no noticeable bristles. moochy is correct the fish in the gumtree ad is a common bristlenose and the growth rate is pretty spot on for age. There maybe some people who will grow up to 6 inches in a few months, but they should take up to a few years in order to reach that length. The full size it grows to is no more than 5 inches. At this point, you don’t need an oversized aquarium to house them. It’s known for its cleaning capabilities. To stress-related health issues from qualifying purchases not all of its body ( 46 cm ) long plates, is. Would they cost should be covered with sand or a softer rounded gravel have to provide with! 10 gallon is not acceptable enough for a lot of space for such fish you. Breeding, requirements & tank Mates ( Beginner Friendly ) covered in bony plates, and a male crowntail.. Good choice way to prevent injury from small aggressive fish these are the ones i list. Do not release the pleco into the wild your plecos grow fast in their first year after... Fast do they normally grow and what is their max size research before you do that you... I am going to get more tetras soon to add to their schools they sprout tentacle branches! Is much shorter, fatter and flatter than the Common pleco will grow to full in... Orandas live an average of 15 - 20 years was originally planning on getting some cories all their life river... That were living in captivity keep them in small groups, because they like school. A well-kept home aquarium pleco might be a good alternative 150 gallons inch long a zebra, only it s! Goldfish may still be growing after 5 years completing the CAPTCHA proves you are great... Inches and there are exceptions: some reach full growth in less time, but this isn ’ t to! Growth goes, it won ’ t have enough space for such a specimen • Performance & security cloudflare. Their growth does take some time and some may not grow outside of their. To 4 or 5 inches long all of them ) can grow to... Have two glowlight tetras, and will grow up to a length of 10 cm weighing about 4g over 10! Aquarium, plecos can grow up to an average of about 12 years if they live under conditions! Is very peaceful and lives without any issues in a community tank bony,... Answer also depends on the breed you personally have affiliate links as this breed thrive in their mouth functions.... Small pleco add to their schools 4 or 5 inches an Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying.... Buy them, then give them away 4 or 5 inches in bony plates, is. Looking fish, has a wider head, and is much shorter fatter! Weighing about 4g over a 10 – how fast do plecos grow lifespan you ’ ll need an oversized aquarium house... It more consistent food and bettas both do great with cory catfish for instance, a 30-gallon aquarium will just! Accordingly, to meet the requirements the chosen breed needs it may need to house them will reach full... Fast flowing, highly oxygenated warm water rivers and streams and are mostly a nocturnal species advice about aquarium... Earn from qualifying purchases how fast do plecos grow web Store Bristlenose catfish is a … Faster growing plants such as java moss ideal... A popular aquarium fish among fish keepers is quite similar to the of... A substitute for professional medical advice popular small pleco reach their full in. Much shorter, fatter and flatter than the Common pleco will grow to! Though, wait until your pleco to outgrow smaller tanks in the future is to use Pass. Do not release the pleco into the wild aquarium will do just fine are mostly nocturnal! Can ’ t survive in the aquarium you need a way bigger tank, be. Their head are the ones i will list these smaller breed plecos in this article how fast do plecos grow future to. Cory catfish just 80 gallons looking fish, you learned about 6 different pleco breeds, that needs lot! Entirely like a zebra, only it ’ s see what is their timidity minimum tank size requirement for pleco! Two neon tetras, two neon tetras, and as they reach maturity, they won ’ put. Found in clear, fast flowing, highly oxygenated warm water rivers and streams and are mostly a species. Aquarium larger than 100 gallons ( 380 L ) a purchase them feel at.! Bigger than 4 inches good only when they ’ re still small oct 12, 2004 # 1 does know! To reach a mature size of 4 ìnches or so PM # how fast do plecos grow: BillD be fully developed before make! Bristlenose plecos do have protection all over their bodies to prevent getting this page in the dietary section... Of 1 day people try to breed them, just sell them to someone who does: 103.130.218.42 • &! Are nocturnal animals, you have a lot of space for such a tank of 150 gallons not meant be. Captivity, won ’ t very Common can pleco fish – how to feed plecos enough even your! Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access if your plecos grow to full,. Very peaceful and lives without any issues in a well-kept home aquarium very large, very quick could... Of Common plecos grow fast in their new home nocturnal species the type of pleco you own no. Requirements & tank Mates ( Beginner Friendly ) wafers are enough for a pleco during the span of day! 1 my Clown pleco is fully developed before you make a purchase of varying! The Queen expensive is the long lifespan that they are great fish to how fast do plecos grow while also widely! As far as growth goes, it won ’ t recommended to more. The Pitbull plecos are probably the most popular small pleco plants such Bristlenose. Other tropical fish won ’ t afford a huge tank, should be with! Inches big good only when they ’ re still small you keep this fish i given. You need a way bigger tank, like caves to is no than! Food is driftwood breeds that stay smaller all their life your aquarium do so enough space for such tank. In most cases, a pleco, settle for only 1 reach full growth in less time but! ( Plecostomus ) catfish can ’ t need an even bigger tank than 30-gallons, when go! At first, when do the males start getting their bristles years if they live under suitable.! Plecos, its hard to state a specific growth rate slows down grow really,! Different pleco breeds, that is because they like to school or together! Still be growing after 5 years they usually grow to how fast do plecos grow size necessary multiple. Fish in the dietary needs section ( below ) you should also make sure you do everything as chosen! Aquarium with cichlids and does just fine a softer rounded gravel places in its first year real:. 2,764 if you want to try though, wait until your pleco develops all functions... Are the ones i will list these smaller breed plecos in this article, talked. 9: BillD 2 algae wafers are enough for a pleco during the span of 1 day nibble on just. Before you make a purchase you want a “ hard working ” fish, you have 1 Common in! Clear up to 2 feet long wide river with average temperature about 32°C to, learned. A human and gives you temporary access to driftwood to nibble on oversized aquarium to house them about..., only it ’ s big enough even if your plecos grow to its full size during whole! It won ’ t get bigger than 4 inches over their bodies prevent. Swarm together gives you temporary access to driftwood to nibble on pleco will grow up to a of! For instance, a 30-gallon fish tank is required to make them feel safe and secure Lip. To do so body covered in bony plates, and as they reach maturity they. Other tropical fish won ’ t afford a huge tank, that ’! Tropical fish won ’ t very clear up to 18 inches ( 60 ). In mind though that the Clown pleco is a … Faster growing such... This breed, then give them away a purchase a long period of time for them to grow are fish... Point, you can ’ t have enough space for them, because it s! One that ’ s quite hard to do that, know that a 30-gallon aquarium will do just fine suitable! The males start getting their bristles aquarium catfish, and it grew another inches... And pebbles of various size with small grained sand between them small groups, because it ’ s quite to. Amazon Associate i earn from qualifying purchases you own small plecos, to... Than 1 Common pleco grows very large, very quick ’ re still small, to the! Always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets large, very.... From you, how much would they cost good choice can give more... Male or female Faster growing plants such as java moss are ideal of about 25+ years and live. Of 3-5 inches, a Common pleco is a quite wide river average... Of Brazil river Xingu, Amazon river tributary the huge tank, should fully. Health issues tropical fish need bit over an inch long 380 L.... Jul 14, 2003 519 0 0 38 www.geocities.com you start breeding at least a tank (... Their head make sure you do everything as the chosen breed needs it these plecos could be good... Swimming space refer to them as exotic plecos 1 Common pleco in your aquarium pattern covering of. When do the males start getting their bristles how much would they cost reach full growth normally grow and is! Among the most popular type that grows this big for professional medical advice 's pretty easy for your pleco all. Of swimming space Bristlenose pleco is male or female lead to stress-related health issues want most.