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How long do sucking fish live?
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How long do sucker fish live? Sucker fish can live for a long time in optimal tank and water conditions. Some related species have been reported to live over a decade, and can sometimes even get close to the 20-year mark. Unfortunately, there is a lot of incorrect information about sucker fish.
In pristine conditions, the typical Common Pleco lifespan is between 10 and 15 years! They have a longer life expectancy than most tropical fish, so be prepared for years of care.
Can you keep 2 plecos together?
“No” to Multiple Plecos Together
They often do wonderfully alongside other types of community freshwater fish. When plecos reach maturity, they simply cannot get along with fellow plecos. They can be highly territorial around each other. Therefore, it can be extremely dangerous ever to house them together.
Do plecos clean your tank?
Keeping an aquarium looking clean and free of algae is most often an ongoing battle. You may even have searched for fish that clean the tank. In freshwater aquariums, “Plecos” (short for plecostomus and used to refer to fish of the family Loricariidae) are one of the most common fish purchased to aid in algae cleanup.
How long do sucking fish live? – Related Questions
Do plecos keep their tank size?
The Rubber Lipped Pleco is one of the largest places on this list and will require a tank size of about 20 gallons. It’s one of the most efficient algae eaters and will quickly clean your tank of algae other plecos would leave behind.
10. Rubber Lipped Pleco.
Length:
4.3 inches
Minimum Tank Size:
20 gallons
How often should I feed my pleco?
While Plecos do eat detritus and algae, it will still need its diet supplemented. Feed your Pleco every day or every other day with Pleco-specific food. One to two times per week, feed your Pleco pieces of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not iceberg).
Can plecos live without a heater?
Plecostomus Water Requirements
A pH between 7.0 and 8.0, alkalinity between 3° and 10° dKH (54 ppm to 180 ppm) and temperature between 74° and 80° F will suffice for most captive bred species. If the aquarium is kept in a room below 74°, use an Aqueon Aquarium Heater to maintain the proper temperature.
How long can plecos go without being fed?
Overview chart for individual fasting tolerances of popular freshwater fish
Type of fish:
Period it can safely live with no food:
Plecos
10 to 14 days
Oscars
up to 2 weeks
Swordtail fish
maximum of 14 days
Corydora catfish
up to 2 weeks
Do plecos just eat algae?
First and foremost, most plecos are not natural algae eaters. They’re instead omnivores, and they eat what is termed aufwuch. This is a mixture of algae growing on surfaces (periphyton), insect larvae, and other aquatic organisms.
Most deaths are due to inadequate water conditions that might lead to disease and depression, and eventually death. However, Plecos also die due to some other reasons like starvation, bullying, and overcrowding.
Can plecos live in tap water?
Keeping and Breeding
As for water hardness, the plecos have no problem with hard water from the tap, but if you want to breed them, it is best to use soft water.
Do plecos like sand or gravel?
The ideal substrate for plecos is fine gravel or soft sand because it will allow the pleco to filter through the substrate to find food. The tank should be densely planted, especially with broad-leafed species like Java Fern and Anubias, to ensure that the pleco can feed on algae growing on the surface of the leaves.
Do plecos like warm or cold water?
Most plecos are tolerant of waters ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-30°C), though they prefer temperatures between about 75 and 82°F (24-28°C). With that being said, there are some pleco species that are hardier than others, and may be able to withstand some cooler waters.
Do plecos like to be alone?
Bristlenose plecos can absolutely live alone in a tank. They’re perfectly happy by themselves and don’t always need tank mates to keep them company.
What makes plecos happy?
How can you tell if a pleco is male or female?
The body shape of a pleco can help a fishkeeper determine the fish’s sex. This works best from a top view. Females generally have a more rounded body, while males are generally skinnier. When viewed from the side, females have a more rounded abdomen, which is longer in relation to the rest of the body.
They are generally nocturnal but in a tank where they are comfortable they should have no problem coming out during the day. Bright lights, loud noises, and some fish can all make a pleco feel scared.
Do plecos like bananas?
So far they have liked zucchini, blanched spinach and cucumber. They did not like the apple, banana, or honeydew melon that I put in there. Last night I put a piece of papaya in the tank and was amazed this morning to find it eaten all the way down to the peel.
How do I know if my pleco is stressed?
Strange Swimming: When fish are stressed, they often develop odd swimming patterns. If your fish is swimming frantically without going anywhere, crashing at the bottom of his tank, rubbing himself on gravel or rocks, or locking his fins at his side, he may be experiencing significant stress.
Do plecos sleep at night?
Most aquarium fish are diurnal, meaning they move about during the day and rest at night. However, some species are nocturnal and prowl at night, spending daylight hours sleeping in a cave or crevice. Certain species of catfish and plecostomus, some knife fish, loaches and others fall into this category.