Pleco: Tank cleaner myth

“Bhaiya tanki saaf karne wali machi dena jo tank saaf rakhe” I always get this requirement from my customer. Today i will try to bust this myth what purpose this fish needs to be kept. Pleco has multiple names once it changes the region. Name this species has got are Suckercat, coco, Crocodile fish, sucker, normal pleco, etc. But original common name of this fish is armour catfish and scientic name is Hypostomus plecostomus.

     Once you see this fish physiology it seems to be more interesting it has small spines all over the top body having flat mouth spiny pectoral and dorsal fin. This feature make them more protective and safe from other tank mates.

What is the role of this fish in the Aquarium?

  Primary role of this fish is to clear the surface algae deposit on the substrate toys plants   and glass surface of the aquarium. This fish can’t control the hair algae. People also give assumption that this will eat poop of other fish but that is perfect Lie told by the industry.

Pleco what they feed upon?

• Initially they feed on the surface algae cause by the light penetration in the tank. Light can be artificial light or sunlight.

• If an alga is missing they will look up for pellet or flake food and stop the consumption of algae eventually or permently.

• Third source is more dangerous is mucous of the other tank mate fish. This cause injury and death of the fish. 

Do Pleco have any threat?

Yes her bottom body is totally soft and vulnerable if attacked there she can die easily. Fatal chance happens in highly carnivore fish like monster and chcichlid category.

\What makes the Pleco more dangerous?

Pleco are infamous invasive species throughout out the world infected many water body. Reason behind this is aquarium trade. Their external marphometric charachters make them dominant. They feed upon spans of other native fish being an bottom feeder.

Plecos survive short periods without water mainly because of a special adaptation called facultative air breathing.

They don’t rely only on gills.

Unlike most fish, plecos can gulp air from the surface and use their digestive tract to absorb oxygen. So even if water is gone or very low in oxygen, they still get some air.