Aquariumcatfish · freshwater
Common Pleco: adult size, tank size & tankmates
The Common Pleco (Pterygoplichthys pardalis) grows to about 20 in (42.3 cm SL). It needs a tank at least 71 inches long. It doesn't need a group of its own kind, at 70–79°F.
How big it really gets
Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.
Outgrows most home tanks. Sold as a 2-inch algae cleaner; grows to 15-20 inches with extreme bioload and outgrows home aquaria.
Will it fit your tank?
Quick facts
- Adult size
- 20 in (42.3 cm SL)
- Minimum tank
- 71 inches long
- Temperature
- 70–79°F
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 10–20 dGH
- Group size
- 1 (solitary or pair)
- With other fish
- peaceful
- With its own kind
- semi-aggressive
- Swims
- bottom of the tank
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- intermediate
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Watch for: eats live plants
Common Pleco tankmates
Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.
Good tankmates
- Neon TetraAdult ~1.4 in · 70–77°F
- Cardinal TetraAdult ~1.7 in · 73–84°F
- Harlequin RasboraAdult ~2.1 in · 70–82°F
- Ember TetraAdult ~0.9 in · 68–82°F
- Chili RasboraAdult ~0.9 in · 68–82°F
- Celestial Pearl DanioAdult ~1 in · 68–79°F
- Cherry BarbAdult ~2.4 in · 68–81°F
- Rummy-nose TetraAdult ~2.4 in · 73–79°F
- Black Neon TetraAdult ~1.7 in · 73–82°F
- Glowlight TetraAdult ~1.9 in · 75–82°F
Use caution
- Pygmy CoryCommon Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Pygmy Cory (0–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
- Kuhli LoachCommon Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Kuhli Loach (0–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
- Nerite SnailCommon Pleco (pH 6–7.5) and Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) prefer different pH.
- Mystery SnailCommon Pleco (pH 6–7.5) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.
- Clown KillifishCommon Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Clown Killifish (1–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
- Crystal Red ShrimpCommon Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
- DiscusNeeds careCommon Pleco and Discus only share 79–79°F. That's a tight window.
- Electric Yellow LabNeeds careCommon Pleco (pH 6–7.5) and Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) prefer different pH.
Avoid
- German Blue RamNeeds careCommon Pleco (70–79°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Boesemani RainbowfishCommon Pleco (70–79°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Chinese Algae EaterOutgrows tanksChinese Algae Eater is aggressive toward tankmates. Common Pleco is peaceful.
- Convict CichlidNeeds careConvict Cichlid is aggressive toward tankmates. Common Pleco is peaceful.
All 105 species we checked against the Common Pleco
| Species | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| African Dwarf Frog | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Amano Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Angelfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Assassin Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bala Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Betta | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Black Neon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Black Skirt Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bleeding Heart Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Blood Parrot Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bolivian Ram | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bronze Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Buenos Aires Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bumblebee Goby | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cardinal Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Celestial Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Chili Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Common / Comet Goldfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Congo Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Denison Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Diamond Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Electric Blue Acara | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ember Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Endler's Livebearer | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Firemouth Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Forktail Blue-eye | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ghost Shrimp | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Giant Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Glass Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Glowlight Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Gold Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Guppy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Harlequin Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Head-and-tail-light Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Hillstream Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Honey Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Iridescent Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Japanese Trapdoor Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Julii Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kissing Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kribensis | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Lambchop Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Lemon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Marbled Hatchetfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Molly | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Moonlight Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Neon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Odessa Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Oscar | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Otocinclus | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Panda Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Paradise Fish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pea Puffer | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Penguin Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Peppered Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pictus Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Platy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pristella Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rainbow Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ramshorn Snail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Red-Tail Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rosy Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rummy-nose Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Scissortail Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Serpae Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Silver Hatchetfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Silver Tip Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Sparkling Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Sterbai Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Swordtail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Three-spot Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tiger Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tinfoil Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Upside-down Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Variatus Platy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Weather Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Yoyo Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Zebra Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Killifish | Caution | Common Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Clown Killifish (1–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Crystal Red Shrimp | Caution | Common Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Crystal Red Shrimp (4–6 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Discus | Caution | Common Pleco and Discus only share 79–79°F. That's a tight window.; Common Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Discus (0–5 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Electric Yellow Lab | Caution | Common Pleco (pH 6–7.5) and Electric Yellow Lab (pH 7.7–8.6) prefer different pH. |
| Fancy Goldfish | Caution | Common Pleco and Fancy Goldfish only share 70–70°F. That's a tight window. |
| Kuhli Loach | Caution | Common Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Kuhli Loach (0–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Mystery Snail | Caution | Common Pleco (pH 6–7.5) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH.; Common Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Mystery Snail (unknown dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Nerite Snail | Caution | Common Pleco (pH 6–7.5) and Nerite Snail (pH 8–8.4) prefer different pH. |
| Pygmy Cory | Caution | Common Pleco (10–20 dGH) and Pygmy Cory (0–8 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Boesemani Rainbowfish | Avoid | Common Pleco (70–79°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Avoid | Chinese Algae Eater is aggressive toward tankmates. Common Pleco is peaceful. |
| Convict Cichlid | Avoid | Convict Cichlid is aggressive toward tankmates. Common Pleco is peaceful. |
| German Blue Ram | Avoid | Common Pleco (70–79°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
Care notes
Needs: Requires bogwood lignin for digestion; massive filtration needed for extreme waste; may rasp slime coats of flat fish
Group: Territorial toward conspecifics and large benthic fishes over caves and feeding areas; solitary housing required
Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, semi-aggressive toward its own kind. Lives in the bottom of the tank.
Common questions
How big does a Common Pleco get?
About 20 inches (42.3 cm SL) as an adult, according to planetcatfish.com.
What size tank does a Common Pleco need?
At least 71 inches long. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 125 gallon.
How many Common Plecos should be kept together?
It can be kept on its own. Territorial toward conspecifics and large benthic fishes over caves and feeding areas; solitary housing required
What fish can live with a Common Pleco?
Species that passed every check include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Ember Tetra, Chili Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio.
Gear for a Common Pleco setup
TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 125 gallon (72 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 2 × 300 W for 125 gallons, holding 70–79°F.Find on Amazon →DriftwoodGrazing wood and biofilm are part of its diet.Find on Amazon →FoodSinking food reaches the bottom before tankmates grab it.Find on Amazon →Test kitCheck ammonia, nitrite and pH. Cycle the tank before adding fish.Find on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate, AquariumSetup earns from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon search results so you can compare current options.
Related guides
Sources
Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: verified. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.
- planetcatfish.com /common/species.php?species_id=88