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COMMON NAME
Pleco
Bristlenose Catfish
Whiptail Catfish
Otocinclus
SCIENTIFIC NAME
various
FAMILY
Loriariidae
ORIGIN
South America
TEMPERATURE
23-28 C
PH
6.4 - 8.0
HARDNESS
Prefer soft, but adaptable from soft to hard
MAXIMUM SIZE
4-46cm / 1.5 -16 inches
DIET
Algae, Plant Matter and Vegetables
RECOMMENDED
MINIMUM AQUARIUM
30+ Litres
SOCIAL
Can be aggressive to same species. Larger specimens may be aggressive to smaller tetras.
TANK REGION
Bottom
LIFE SPAN
Up to 12 years
CARE
Moderate 7.5/10
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An extremely popular addition to a Tropical Community tank is a member of the Loricariidae family.
The reason you would want one of these beauties in your tank ?? Well they eat the algae that grows on the glass, substrates, ornaments... all of the above inside of your tropical aquarium.
These popular fish come in a range of sizes.. everything from a tiny Otocinclus at 4cm up to a huge Plecostomus at up to 46cm.  Pleco's and Bristlenose prefer to live alone while Otocinclus prefer to live in groups.
The most common Loricariidae family member you might find in your tank or your local fish shop is the Bristlenose Catfish. (You can find an article about them HERE.)
Generally Loricariidaes are a scaleless fish that feature bony plates that cover their body - this allows for some protection from predators. The plates cover a (generally) depressed body and often large tail fin. Loricariidae most recognisable feature would be their sucker mouths. The downward facing mouth features modified lips which allow the fish to feed, breathe and attach itself to anything using suction.
Loricariidaes originate in South America where they inhabit (in particular) the Amazon Basin and its tributaries. There they survive two different types of habitat, cooler rocky or sandy streams or rivers with a water temperature of around 20-24C; or a warmer muddy environment with a water temperature between 24-27 that may have a low oxygen level.
We find Loricariidaes tolerate a wide range of water conditions in a tropical aquarium, but coming from the Amazon they certainly prefer softer, slightly acidic water. The aquarium should be set up with plenty of hiding places that might include plants, ornaments rocks and driftwood. Most Loricariidaes are nocturnal and are sensitive to light.
Loricariidae Catfish are herbivores. Commonly the reason these fish are kept in a tropical aquarium is for their ability to eliminate algae and reduce the maintenance. Smaller specimens may be able to manage on just the existing algae that might grow within the tank, however as the specimen grows then algae chips or pellets should be introduced as well as shelled peas, cucumber, zucchini or generally any soft green vegetable. You might like to skewer vegetables on a tea spoon or anchor them down with a weight. Remove the leftovers within 24 hours.
Small specimens are quite difficult to sex, however large specimens can be sexed by looking directly overhead, where are male tapers evenly from head to tail whereas a female will appear more rounded in the stomach area (which may also indicate the presence of eggs.) Plecos can be difficult to breed in an aquarium, more success comes from ponds with the correct water conditions as well as the correct temperature range.
In the wild, they dig tunnels into the riverbank where they breed. These conditions can be replicated in a pond
Given the correct Aquarium set up with plenty of hiding places, we find these fish are great in Tropical, African or American set ups. Large specimens are much sought after and difficult to come across.
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Pleco
