Common Pleco set up?

Mariac1990 · Dec 21, 2025

I was gifted a 75gal tank with a bunch of decorations and 2 huge plecos. I’m planning on redoing the tank with natural plants and substrates but I wanted to ask if anyone has any set ups they can share. I have never had plecos this large. I want them to have space to swim and do their thing but I’m not finding any good ideas online. PLEASE SHARE! (First 2 pics are previous set up before they were gifted. I have removed the rocks since then.)

jaylach · Dec 21, 2025

Sorry to have to say this but a 75 gallon tank is not nearly large enough for a couple of common plecos. These beasts can reach 2+ feet in length. You need 200-300 gallons minimum to keep these fish. 200 might be possible for one but two would need 300 as a minimum. Even that may be on the small size.

This image isn't even max size for the fish. Sadly a lot of shops will sell you a baby to put in a 5 gallon tank...

fishorama · Dec 21, 2025

There are a few species of "common plecos" Some "just" grow to 12+ inches (liposarcus pardalis) & some that grow to 18+ inches (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps) I am not good at IDs for them but you may be able to see with better pics on planetcatfish.com or other sites. The orangish edge of the dorsal (top fin) makes me think gibbiceps, but I'm not sure.

We inherited a L. pardalis years ago that was fun. He learned to roll his eyes for tablet food. & a friend had 1 of some species that climbed out of her tank into a potted plant next to her tank. She replaced him into the tank often.

Of course, males especially may fight over territories, so have lots of big wood & rock caves for them to claim...but a 75g is going to be smallish unless they really get along. Think long term tank size & how often you'll need to vacuum out big, long pleco poops many inches long.

Big plecos don't really need "friends" so, if you need to rehome 1, don't feel bad about doing that. But if if it's a gibbiceps, you're going to need a bigger tank eventually. Research!

GaryE · Dec 22, 2025

I recall a "pleco dump" I saw in Florida, full of huge adults of the several common species. There wasn't a single plant in sight, but above a dam they couldn't climb, the river was a lush jungle of native fish. I would say your plant idea is too optimistic. And, sadly, I agree with the others - the tank is too small for 2 common plecos. Those unfortunate fish really get short changed by the aquarium trade, which really shouldn't sell them except as special order fish.

They cause us issues too. They are incredibly expensive fish if you calculate the gear needed to keep them properly.

Back in the fold · Dec 22, 2025

@CaptainBarnicles

anewbie · Dec 22, 2025

GaryE said:
I recall a "pleco dump" I saw in Florida, full of huge adults of the several common species. There wasn't a single plant in sight, but above a dam they couldn't climb, the river was a lush jungle of native fish. I would say your plant idea is too optimistic. And, sadly, I agree with the others - the tank is too small for 2 common plecos. Those unfortunate fish really get short changed by the aquarium trade, which really shouldn't sell them except as special order fish.

They cause us issues too. They are incredibly expensive fish if you calculate the gear needed to keep them properly.

They are quite a bit more expensive than that given they are frequently released into the wild in southern usa where they cause quite a bit of issues.

Boundava · Sep 2, 2026

Agree with all of the above advice. Bigger tank for the two, even 1 in a 75 is tight. Need very good filtration as plecos produce a good amount of waste, especially with their larger sizes. I had one years ago that I rehomed to The Animal Store in Lincolnwood as he was outgrowing my 29 gallon and eating the slime coat off my goldfish to the point where they has small ulcers on them. He had one eye and I am a GenX, so of course he was One-eye Willie. I didn't have real plants back them so unsure if they would leave crypts alone, but I can say that I haven't found a pleco (not panaque) that isn't a sword killer or bulb rasper. My plecos leave the crypts alone.