Why do plecos have L numbers?

Why are plecos called L-numbers?

The “L” in the name comes from “Loricariidae” which is the very large catfish family these Plecos belong to. This categorising of the Pleco fish into L-numbers is not a formal scientific designation, but allowed people at the time to identify a common name for each species.

Are pleco fish algae eaters?

These species are very often sold as Algae eaters; however, this is often not the case, with most Pleco fish species being opportunistic feeders eating both meat and organic matter. Their diet can include most frozen foods and pleco pellets, it is always best to check which diet your pleco prefers.

Is a common pleco a good fish to buy?

Although it’s cheap, you can find it anywhere and as the name suggests, common, it’s this way for a reason. The Common Pleco is almost a titan of the aquarium hobby, a proven monster at eating algae. I personally only recommend a tank that will hold roughly a minimum of 150 litres, they get big, really big.

How many algae wafers should I Feed my pleco?

As a rule of thumb, you should feed one or two algae wafers per algae eater, on a daily basis. If you have more than one pleco or algae eater in the tank and are unsure about the feeding amount, check the manufacturer’s recommendations, often printed on the bag or container.

What is the difference between pleco and bristlenose pleco?

The Bristlenose Pleco, is a very common Pleco Catfish species, that people tend to choose over the Common Pleco, because of its smaller size. Usually, a Bristlenose Pleco will grow up to 5 inches long, which is a lot smaller than the Common Pleco, that grows up to 24 inches. Even so, this species needs a lot of space to thrive in.

Can a pleco live in a big tank?

If you are going to have a pleco in a huge tank, you may as well have other large freshwater fish to take advantage of that tank as well. Silver dollars grow to about six inches across and should be kept in schools of six or more. A long tank is preferred, as these fish are quite active.

What can I Feed my plecostomus?

Offer your plecostomus commercial foods like sinking algae wafers and spirulina pellets as their primary diet. Supplement with regular treats of fresh blanched veggies like spinach, cucumbers, peas, carrots and zucchini.

What is the difference between a male and female pleco?

The bristlenose is an algae eating machine. Bristlenose plecos (no matter the sex) will always have small little ‘whiskers’ around their upper lip. As a bristlenose matures the males ‘whiskers’ will grow considerably longer than a females.

What is the difference between a pleco and a bristlenose?

By that size a female bristlenose may have a small ring of bristles around the front. A bristlenose is usually more solid in color or spotted. A common pleco is more of a leopard pattern and can be wider.

How do I know if my pleco is eating properly?

After you provide food for your pleco, watch and see if your pleco gobbles it down. If your pleco immediately begins to munch on the food, they may be overly hungry and need to be fed more often. If your pleco ignores the food, they may need to be fed less often.

How to take care of a plecostomus fish?

Step 1. Know when to feed. Plecostomus fish really only need to be fed once a day. They love to eat at night and rarely like to be seen during the day. Drop the food into the tank before bedtime and your plecostomus will be happy.

How can you tell if a pleco is male or female?

For example, male pleco fish will grow long bristles on their pectoral fins and around the edge of their mouth and head. While females can grow similar bristles, theirs tend to be smaller. Compare the size of the dorsal fins on cichlid fish.

How big does a plecostomus get?

Male bristlenose plecos have much large bristles and they usually grow around the mouth, nose, and other parts of the face. How big will a plecostomus get? The maximum size which a pleco will reach is around 24 inches, but this is in the wild.

Do plecos eat other fish in a tank?

They are one of the most common species of fish bought to keep an aquarium clean since they will eat the waste of other fish. They also use their sucker mouths to clean the glass of the tank as well as the ground and tank decorations. Plecos are hardy fish that can live for 10 to 15 years.

How long does it take for a pleco to mature?

Plecos don’t mature until several years of age. Some people say for Commons it can take until they are almost a foot in length. Females will likely be fatter in girth, with males being a bit more stream lined. Males may also be smaller in length.

How big of a tank do plecos need?

What Size Tank Do Plecos Need? The common pleco requires a huge tank. Once they reach their adult size, they will need at least a 150-gallon tank. As for other popular species here are their minimum tank sizes: gold nugget pleco ( Baryancistrus sp. ): 50 gallons

How long do bristlenose pleco live?

The average Bristlenose Pleco lifespan is at least five years, but there have been instances where this fish has lived up to 12 years in captivity! When compared to a lot of the other popular freshwater tank inhabitants, this is a pretty solid length of time.

How long does it take for a pleco to fully grow?

it depends a lot on the type of common. common plecos come in S, M and L variety it can take 10 yrs or more for large to fully grow and I have seen smalls max out in abt 3 yrs Hi Joe.

What size tank do plecostomus need?

What Size Tank Do Plecostomus Need? The common Pleco, it requires a huge tank. Once they reach an adult they need at least a 150 gallon tank. As for other popular species here are their minimum tank sizes:

What is the average size of a pleco?

Average Common Pleco Size The average Common Pleco size in captivity is around 15 inches in length when fully grown. They’re known to have a max size as large as 24 inches in the wild! Some specimens living in massive environments can reach similar lengths in captivity, although this is pretty rare.

How old does a bristlenose pleco live?

Bristlenose Pleco 2021: Care Guide, Diet, Habitat and Breeding Category Rating Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Color Form: Brown, Black, Grey, Albino Lifespan: 5+ Years 5 more rows

Where do bristlenose plecos like to hide?

You’ll notice that your fish spends most of their time scavenging for food at the bottom of the tank or near any decorations you have. This means it’s good to give your Bristlenose Plecos as many hiding places as possible. Things like live plants, driftwood, and manufactured caves are very beneficial.

How long does it take for bristlenose pleco to grow?

Fish fry grows very rapidly. It only takes about 6 months to reach full maturity. When they’re still young, they will develop their tough skin. They won’t have those iconic bristles at first. But, they’ll start to develop after several months. Now that you’ve finished this guide you should have a much better understanding of Bristlenose Pleco care.