Receiving Helpdesk

can plecostomus live in cold water

by Kimberly Grimes Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Can plecos survive in cold water? Plecostomus fish usually prefer warm water, but they can adapt to colder conditions as long as the temperature difference is not too large. For example, these species of catfish can be kept in an outdoor pond that is about 5-15 degrees Fahrenheit below the average temperature of your region.

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.Nov 8, 2018

Full Answer

Can a pleco live in cold water?

May 14, 2020 · Pleco's can live in cold water. That is much, much too cold for a pleco. They are tropical fish and need temps of around 74-80 degrees F. You need to remove him from the tank quickly and bring him to a warmer tank or the pet store.

What temperature is too cold for plecostomus?

Oct 29, 2021 · Can Plecos Survive 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.

What do plecostomus eat?

Apr 10, 2020 · Moreover, what pleco can live in 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.

Can I put plecostomus in a 50 gallon tank?

That is much, much too cold for a pleco. They are tropical fish and need temps of around 74-80 degrees F. You need to remove him from the tank quickly and bring him to a warmer tank or the pet store. To control the algae, rather then rely on fish, just keep up with your weekly water changes and scrub the glass with a scraper.

How cold can plecos live?

Plecos are remarkably tolerant of a wide range of temperatures. They are most comfortable around 70 to 75 degrees F but can adapt to temperatures from 60 to 90 degrees F. Some individuals of some species may tolerate water below 60 degrees F. How low is up for debate but at least down to 50 degrees F.May 14, 2020

Can plecos live without heater?

Yes, bristlenose plecos need a heater in their tank. They are tropical fish, so they need warm and stable temperatures of around 74°F to 80°F (23°C to 26.5°C) to thrive.

Can a plecostomus live in a pond?

Plecos are usually found in aquariums and are tropical fish, but they can be beneficial in Koi ponds. It is highly recommended that if you decide to add plecos to your pond that you add them during the summer. In the winter, they need to be housed in a aquarium.

What water temperature do plecos need?

72-82°FCharacteristicsCare DifficultyMost are good for beginning aquarists, however, there are a few species that require more advanced careAverage Adult Size1.5 to 12+ inches long, depending on speciesDietMost species are omnivoresMinimum Habitat Size20+ gallons, depending on speciesWater Temperature72-82°F1 more row

Can you put 2 plecos in the same tank?

"No" to Multiple Plecos Together 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.

Can Bristlenose plecos live in cold water?

No, bristlenose plecos cannot live in cold water. As tropical fish, they require a warm temperature between 74°F and 80°F (23°C and 26.5°C) to thrive.

Can you put a pleco with a goldfish?

Pleco bristlenose can be housed with comet goldfish, too; they can serve as algae-eating fish, cleaning up the tank debris, as well as just a basic tank mate to your comets.Sep 26, 2017

Are there any cold water algae eaters?

Hillstream loach species are frequently sold as algae eaters for coldwater or temperate tanks. They are also known as Hong Kong plecs, butterfly plecs and Borneo suckerfish among other common names. These fish have very specific requirements and are best suited to set ups with very high flow.

How long can a pleco live out of water?

30 hoursPlecos can live up to 30 hours outside water if they store enough oxygen in their bellies -- this is why plecos are sometimes seen gulping air at the water's surface.Sep 26, 2017

How do I keep my plecos happy?

2:054:18What You Need for a Pleco - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt is advised to put some algae wafers in your tank every two to three days. You can also figureMoreIt is advised to put some algae wafers in your tank every two to three days. You can also figure pleco. Various types of vegetables. Such as cucumber or spinach.

Why do my plecos keep dying?

Plecos can be susceptible to many different diseases, but the most common cause of death is a bloated stomach. Plecos are known for their appetite and will eat almost anything that they can fit into their mouth. This often includes rocks, sticks, dead fish, and other debris.Nov 23, 2021

How hardy are plecos?

Bristlenose Plecos are quite hardy and can adapt to a wide range of water parameters. They require temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Though, somewhere in the middle of that range is ideal. As for pH balance, it should be between 6.5 and 7.5.May 12, 2021

What temperature do plecos like?

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. A Bristlenose Pleco.

What is a pleco?

Plecostomus are a subfamily of tropical bottom-dwelling sucker catfish native to South America that can grow up to two feet and will eat a very wide variety of foods, including vegetables, dead fish, ...

Do plecos eat algae?

Plecos naturally inhabit areas of high water-flow, so waterfalls and fountains can help add aeration to the pond. Plecos are well known for their ability to consume large quantities of algae. However, they also generate a fair amount of waste, often more than they consume.

Do plecos need wood?

They need hiding places as well as things to anchor themselves to; most pleco species really enjoy having wood in their pond or aquarium. They can anchor themselves to it, use it for hiding, obtain some nutrients from it, and the wood will also act to help keep the pH within the range that plecos survive best in.

How big do plecos get?

One of the smallest pleco species, the white spotted dwarf (hypancistrus) pleco, reaches a maximum adult size of about 2.4 inches, while one of the largest pleco species, the adonis pleco, has been known to grow over a meter (39 inches) in size. Plecos in general grow quickly, and depending upon the species can grow up to a foot per year ...

Can plecos live outside?

Overall, plecos should not be left to overwinter outdoors if you don’t live in a warm region. To help plecos survive winters, you could utilize a pond heater or bring them inside to an indoor pond or aquarium, provided it’s large enough to house this hefty species.

Can you have 2 Plecos in the same tank?

"No" to Multiple Plecos Together They can be highly territorial around each other. Therefore, it can be extremely dangerous ever to house them together. When they're alone and away from other plecos, they can make serene and pleasant community tank inhabitants, however.

Can plecostomus live without air pump?

They will not need a air pump if there is a good filter that causes lots of surface disturbance. If it every looks like your pleco is gasping for air and not swimming a lot then you need to get a air pump.

Will Plecos kill other fish?

they are obligate omnivores not predators. Yes some will kill, they can become aggressive and territorial in improper environments. A common pleco (any of the many species) will choose a dead piece of shrimp or zucchini over a live fish any day of the week.

Can you put Plecos with goldfish?

It depends on the individual fish. Also, if you don't maintain the tank then your fish probably won't live as long. Pleco can be known for sucking on goldfish since they have a thicker slime layer on them. Plecos can also live for a long time too, so there really isn't any issue in pairing it with a goldfish.

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

To identify male from female Albino Bristlenose Plecos, know that the male Bristlenose have larger bristles whereas the female ones have bristles around the mouth. Additionally, the female ones are smaller than the male version.

Can Plecos live out of water?

Natural Habitat of the Plecostomus Plecos are adaptable fish that can live in fresh or brackish water. Plecos can live up to 30 hours outside water if they store enough oxygen in their bellies -- this is why plecos are sometimes seen gulping air at the water's surface.

Does Pleco eat poop?

While plecos will eat most foods, it is best to feed them algae pellets or specially formulated sinking pellets also. This is because they sometimes do not get enough to eat on their own. Plecos does eat fish poo. While poo eaten is a weird concept, it is actually not unusual for animals.

Lowest temperature pleco Fish can survive?

Generally a typical pleco fish is considered a flexible species for temperatures ranging from 72 to 86°F (22 to 30°C).

Will pleco Fish die if the water is too cold?

Yes, Even though these species can tolerate temperatures ranging from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-30°C), much below these mentioned temperatures, Pleco Fish will develop serious health issues that might even kill your Pleco Fish.

How to control the temperature in an aquarium?

Here are a few things you can do to prevent your aquarium from overheating or cool down.

How to keep your aquarium warm during power cuts?

In case of a power cut, your aquarium water levels will begin to fall towards room temperature.

Natural Habitat of pleco Fish

Generally Pleco fish lives in fresh or brackish water. You can find these species in the rivers of Costa Rica, Panama, and South America.

Which fish can survive in cold water?

Many other exciting fish species do not require a heated aquarium. All temperature zones across the continents have fish that prefer cold water.

Related questions

No, All tropical fish, including Plecostomus, require a heater. These species are not cold water fish. Even if they were, it would be good to attach a heater to your aquarium to make sure that the water temperature won’t drop too far.

Can you put Plecos with goldfish?

It depends on the individual fish. Also, if you don't maintain the tank then your fish probably won't live as long. Pleco can be known for sucking on goldfish since they have a thicker slime layer on them. Plecos can also live for a long time too, so there really isn't any issue in pairing it with a goldfish.

Can a pleco live without a heater?

No, not really. Like Bunji said, they'll do ok so long as it's in a coldwater tank. That means a tank that doesn't have a heater, but is indoors. The water will always be at room temperature, (about 72F), which isn't too cold for a plec.

Can two Plecos live 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.

How long does it take for a common pleco to reach full size?

He then said to me that I should be fine with a small (1 - 1 1/2") common pleco since it will take 10 years to get to full size, or 5+ years to get to a size too large for my 29 gallon.

Can a pleco live in a lake?

Don't release it! However, plecos can live fine in lakes, ponds or rivers as long as there are no hard freezes.

How long does a pleco live?

This fish is also available as an Albino Pleco. In the wild these fish gets up to 24 inches (60 cm) in length, though they seldom exceed 12 - 15" (30.5 - 38 cm) in the aquarium. They are fast growing, and have an average lifespan of 10 - 15 years in captivity. In the wild they can live more than 15 years.

Do Plecos need heated water?

A pH between 7.0 and 8.0, alkalinity between 3° and 10° dKH (54ppm to 180ppm), 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 increase the heat.

Here are the things you need to know in order for your outdoor pond to be able to house a plecostomus

The temperature of the water has to be between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. The general rule is that if your outdoor pond has warm temperatures, high levels of oxygen, and a high concentration of algae, then the environment is suitable for keeping a plecostomus fish.

Some tips for keeping plecos healthy in a pond

If your pond has all these requirements fulfilled, congratulations! You can now put some lovely-looking plecos into it. Here are some additional tips for keeping them healthy:

Can plecos survive in cold water?

Plecostomus fish usually prefer warm water, but they can adapt to colder conditions as long as the temperature difference is not too large. For example, these species of catfish can be kept in an outdoor pond that is about 5-15 degrees Fahrenheit below the average temperature of your region.

Can plecos live in the same pond as goldfish?

Yes, they can. In fact, there are many combinations of fish that you can keep in the same tank. However, it is important to provide large space for each type of fish species. The space is needed to ensure the safety of each fish species. One example is the size difference between goldfish and plecos. Plecos grow much larger than goldfish.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9