Common Pleco set up?

[Mariac1990]

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]

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]

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]

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]

@CaptainBarnicles

 

[anewbie]

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.