{"id":10848,"date":"2023-07-28T19:52:21","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T19:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/?p=10848"},"modified":"2023-09-12T13:16:34","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T13:16:34","slug":"are-plecos-hardy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/are-plecos-hardy\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Plecos Hardy? + 5 Hardiest Pleco Types For Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"10848\" class=\"elementor elementor-10848\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-148a7b1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"148a7b1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e009354\" data-id=\"e009354\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e5ceef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e5ceef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 01-11-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>The answer is that it depends on the species; some are very resistant to many factors, and others are incredibly sensitive.<\/p><p>This article will explore and answer that question, sharing the five most hardy types of plecos you can keep in your aquarium.<\/p><p><strong>Many pleco species, such as bristlenose plecos and common plecos are considered hardy fish. Others can be very sensitive fish that need very specific conditions to thrive. It\u2019s important to research the needs of the specific species you want to keep.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fe0879 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fe0879\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 01-11-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What makes a pleco hardy?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-197cafd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"197cafd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Before listing the five hardiest species of plecos, it&#8217;s essential to understand what makes these plecos a hardy species.<\/p><p>A fish species is considered hardy when it can withstand a <b>wide range of water conditions<\/b>, such as different pH (from acidic to alkaline), temperature, and hardness, and often manage to survive for a while in water of questionable quality. (with the presence of pollutants such as ammonia and nitrite).<\/p><p>Another factor to point out is that these species are capable of dealing with fluctuations (some even sudden) of these parameters in the environment without major damage, which directly makes them an <b>excellent choice for beginners<\/b> who want to get into this world of keeping plecos.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a1ecb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5a1ecb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Hardiest pleco species (most suitable for beginners)<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4baee06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4baee06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus)<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80be5e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"80be5e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.17.0 - 01-11-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bristlenose-pleco.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-10691\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bristlenose-pleco.png 900w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bristlenose-pleco-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bristlenose-pleco-768x427.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a680779 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a680779\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Bristlenose Pleco, known by its scientific genus Ancistrus, is one of the most popular pleco species among beginner aquarists and those looking for a cleanup crew to deal with algae.<\/p><p>These plecos are peaceful and <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/bristlenose-pleco-size\/\">small sized<\/a>, usually reaching between 4 and 6 inches in length) which makes them suitable for smaller tanks (starting from 30 gallons).<\/p><p>The Bristlenose Pleco is considered one of the hardiest plecos, surviving in many conditions, including more alkaline or acidic water. To keep it within the ideal range, consider a stable temperature of 22 to 26\u00b0C and a pH of 6.8 to 7.5.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7baba62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7baba62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Common pleco<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5ba61c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b5ba61c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"485\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/7376613806_c06f99fb05_c.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6398\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/7376613806_c06f99fb05_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/7376613806_c06f99fb05_c-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/7376613806_c06f99fb05_c-768x466.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9b04cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a9b04cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Common Pleco, or Plecostomus, is one of the most common species of plecos. They are large plecos, <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/pleco-size-by-species\/\">reaching up to 24 inches<\/a> in length, so they need a lot of room in the aquarium to move around.<\/p><p>The ideal tank volume to hold these fish is around 80 gallons. They generate an incredible amount of waste, so they need a powerful filter.<\/p><p>These fish are incredibly resistant to anything you can imagine, so much so that it is considered an invasive species worldwide, even in high-salinity environments like mangroves. The fish will be fine as long as the water has a pH close to 7 and the temperature is around 25 Celsius.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a84a78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9a84a78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rubberlip pleco<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6dd10a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f6dd10a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1769092136_476b508a0c_o-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9789\" alt=\"Rubbernose pleco\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1769092136_476b508a0c_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1769092136_476b508a0c_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1769092136_476b508a0c_o-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/1769092136_476b508a0c_o.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Photo by Suzy on Flickr<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddfda2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ddfda2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The rubber lip pleco comprises some species of the genus Chaetostoma, it&#8217;s an interesting and easy-to-care-for pleco. Originally from South America, this fish has unique characteristics, such as its lips, which look like rubber, characteristic that gives it its popular name.<\/p><p>Rubber lip pleco is a peaceful fish and can coexist harmoniously with other species in a community aquarium. This feature makes it an excellent choice for beginner aquarists who want to create a diverse fish community in the aquarium.<\/p><p>Concerning food, it is an omnivorous pleco with a preference for plant foods, mainly <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/pleco-eating-algae\/\">algae<\/a>. To ensure a balanced and healthy diet, it&#8217;s recommended to offer foods such as seaweed, <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/feeding-plecos-vegetables\/\">zucchini, cucumber, and spinach<\/a>.<\/p><p>It&#8217;s a hardy and adaptable pleco. It can adjust to different water conditions if proper quality levels are maintained. It is important to keep the pH of the water between 6.5 and 7.2, and the temperature should be kept in the range of 70 to 78F.<\/p><p>In addition, it is recommended to provide shelter and hiding places for the Rubber Lip Pleco, as it is a nocturnal fish and likes to hide during the day. This will help reduce stress and promote a more natural environment for the fish.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06aa9fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"06aa9fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Clown pleco<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d59e732 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d59e732\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/446159364_9b420b77a6_w.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-785\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/446159364_9b420b77a6_w.jpg 400w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/446159364_9b420b77a6_w-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A Clown Pleco resting on a bed of algae. Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/FqFCQ\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kai Schreiber<\/a><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-840046a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"840046a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The clown pleco, or Panaqolus maccus, is a small, hardy species. They usually reach about 3.5 inches in length and originate from the Amazon River basin in Brazil. These fish can be found in dark, deep waters, where they feed mainly on algae, larvae, detritus, and plant debris.<\/p><p>Clown pleco can be an excellent choice for beginners as it is very hardy. They are relatively tolerant of water conditions and can survive a wide range of temperatures and pH as long as the water is kept clean and well-oxygenated.<\/p><p>To keep clown pleco healthy, it&#8217;s crucial to provide them with a suitable environment. They prefer a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding areas and a gentle water current.<\/p><p>They also need a varied diet that includes algae, vegetables, and animal proteins such as mosquito larvae, shrimp, and fish. <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/driftwood-for-plecos\/\">Wood<\/a> is also extremely important, as wood is a part of their diet in the wild.<\/p><p>Keep aquarium pH between 6.4 to 7.1 and temperatures around 26 degrees Celsius.<br \/>Like any other pleco, the clown pleco can become territorial and aggressive towards other fish, especially other males of the same species.<\/p><p>If you have a suitable tank (30 gallons) with enough hiding places, this is not a problem.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b5895c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b5895c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why do plecos die or fall sick?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35b23af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"35b23af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Even though some species are hardy fish, like all living things, plecos can die if not cared for properly. Each species has its basic needs, which you should know and provide for before getting the animal you want.<\/span><\/p><p>Among many, here are some common reasons why plecos may die:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6da0f47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6da0f47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Poor water quality<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d22670c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d22670c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Poor water quality is one of the main reasons plecos can die; moreover, it is the leading cause of death among novice hobbyists. Aquatic animals need clean, well-oxygenated water (free of pollutants such as nitrogenous compounds) to survive.<\/p><p>If the water is not passing through a regular water change, and the filter or other equipment are not cleaned or working properly, levels of ammonia and nitrite in the water will increase, which can be fatal for plecos.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dac6125 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dac6125\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Lack of space<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-295cfaa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"295cfaa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Space can be an issue for plecos lovers, as even the smallest of these fish need plenty of free-swimming space, caves, and hiding places. If kept in small aquariums, plecos can become <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/pleco-diseases\/\">stressed and sick<\/a>.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">Another problem is overpopulation, bringing competition for space and resources, causing stress and death of plecos.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bbfe33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8bbfe33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Malnutrition (bad diet)<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7e2010 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a7e2010\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Most plecos are omnivorous fish that need a <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/what-do-plecos-eat\/\">rich and diverse diet<\/a> to stay healthy and nourished. When poorly fed and malnourished, plecos are prone to disease.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;\">A bad diet can develop obesity and digestive problems, which can bring problems and even lead to death in the long term.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f6b991 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f6b991\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Stress<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0e8551 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b0e8551\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Stress is a big problem, as plecos are fish that can easily suffer from this affliction. If they are exposed to a noisy, hectic, or inappropriate environment, it can affect their well-being and health.<\/p><p>In addition, frequent movement of the aquarium, such as constant changes of decoration or fish, can stress them and lead to death.<\/p><p>By taking preventative measures such as maintaining good water quality, providing an adequate diet, providing enough space, and monitoring the health of the fish, your pleco will live a long and healthy life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ed4c46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7ed4c46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tip: Research your pleco species<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ec5c28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ec5c28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There are big differences between pleco species. The key to success is researching which pleco species you want to keep, so you can provide them with the best possible care.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdf6117 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bdf6117\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25f8a5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"25f8a5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlecos are pretty hardy fish, but they still need proper care to thrive in your aquarium. Ensure you keep the water clean and with the right parameters, avoid overcrowding, and provide a suitable environment for the species and a balanced diet. By following these tips, you will enjoy a healthy and happy pleco for years to come.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The answer is that it depends on the species; some are very resistant to many factors, and others are incredibly sensitive. This article will explore and answer that question, sharing the five most hardy types of plecos you can keep in your aquarium. Many pleco species, such as bristlenose plecos and common plecos are considered &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/are-plecos-hardy\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Are Plecos Hardy? + 5 Hardiest Pleco Types For Beginners<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10850,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"","site-content-layout":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Are Plecos Hardy? + 5 Hardiest Pleco Types For Beginners | Keeping Catfish<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/are-plecos-hardy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Are Plecos Hardy? + 5 Hardiest Pleco Types For Beginners | Keeping Catfish\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The answer is that it depends on the species; some are very resistant to many factors, and others are incredibly sensitive. 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