{"id":2962,"date":"2022-01-23T19:06:10","date_gmt":"2022-01-23T19:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/?p=2962"},"modified":"2023-11-05T14:48:55","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T14:48:55","slug":"pleco-hiding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/pleco-hiding\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Your Pleco Is Hiding &#038; How To Make It More Active (7 Reasons)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2962\" class=\"elementor elementor-2962\" 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-c5e2981 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c5e2981\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;01263d9&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&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-592b6f3\" data-id=\"592b6f3\" 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-f24d8a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f24d8a6\" 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>In the years I have been keeping pleco catfish, this is one of the concerns I get the most often: plecos that hide all the time, and only come out at night.<\/p><p>This unfortunately leads to many people believing that that&#8217;s just a pleco&#8217;s nature, while it isn&#8217;t! Plecos can perfectly be active during the day so you can enjoy them! But how do you do that?<\/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-7741f59 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7741f59\" 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\">3 tips to get your plecos to be more active<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ededce elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5ededce\" 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\">Provide hiding places or natural cover<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d081ab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d081ab7\" 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>This is the thing I see most frequently done wrong. And frankly, in most of the cases the problem. People set up their tanks, buy their fish but forget one thing: plecos need hiding places.<\/p><p>It might seem very counterproductive: adding hiding places to makes your pleco hide less.\u00a0<\/p><p>But actually, you should look from the pleco&#8217;s perspective. It&#8217;s obvious that it feels more comfortable in a tank where it has lots of cover for potential danger, vs. a tank with little to no hiding places.\u00a0<\/p><p>If your tank has only very few natural covers, you might find it hiding behind your filter or heater <em>all the time <\/em>or even <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/do-plecos-bury-themselves\/\">burying themselves<\/a>.<\/p><p>It&#8217;s important to notice that you should not try to mimic the tank setup in the pet store. These places often merely decorate their tanks, just because it&#8217;s easier to catch fish this way.<\/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-212e4f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"212e4f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5 types of hiding places<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3daa1f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3daa1f6\" 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>Pet stores sell a ton of decoration for in your tank. So much, that it&#8217;s sometimes hard to make a choice.<\/p>\n<p>First things first, stay away from Nemo or fairy tale-like decoration. These are mostly not the type of structures where plecos like to hide.<\/p>\n<p>Here are 5 good pleco hiding places:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Wood<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Wood is the best type of hiding place for plecos, hands down. It&#8217;s both natural and good-looking and there are many kinds of wood available. Plecos will love hanging around wood because in their natural habitat there is a lot of wood.<\/p>\n<p>Did you know that many pleco species eat wood? Another reason to add wood to your tank. I&#8217;ve actually written an entire article on this. Read &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/driftwood-for-plecos\/\">Why Plecos Need Driftwood<\/a>&#8221; for more about this.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Stones<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stones are great, but might not provide as many holes or actual places for plecos to hide in than f.e. wood. This is why my favorite type of stone is slate. You can easily create your own structures with it and even create your own pleco caves by gluing them.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Plants<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Plants are great for every fish tank. Plecos will notice it when there are live plants, and feel way more comfortable in a natural setup with plants that cover them from above. It&#8217;s a misconception that all plecos will eat plants. In fact, it&#8217;s very rare for plecos to eat plants. Read my article on <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/7-best-plants-for-plecos\/\">the best plants for plecos here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Terracotta or clay pots<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>No need to buy expensive decorations in the pet store. You might have some terracotta pots left, which make ideal hiding places for plecos. The best way is to cut these in half, so you create a cave-like structure.<\/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-53fa6e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"53fa6e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Examples of well and bad decorated tanks<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e8d62b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e8d62b\" 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>Not sure what&#8217;s enough hiding places? Here are some examples of good vs. bad setups.<\/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-8cb4fc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8cb4fc3\" 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<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"762\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tank.-compressed1-1024x762.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2978\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tank.-compressed1-1024x762.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tank.-compressed1-300x223.jpg 300w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tank.-compressed1-768x572.jpg 768w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tank.-compressed1-1536x1144.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tank.-compressed1.jpg 1550w\" 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CXwbIUZopid\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@simple_fins on Instagram\n<\/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-0b65f6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0b65f6c\" 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>As you can see this tank is full of plants, wood and even some stone. This is the perfect habitat 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-efaa089 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"efaa089\" 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=\"800\" height=\"531\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4643220565_9f2885569f_c.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2979\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4643220565_9f2885569f_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4643220565_9f2885569f_c-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4643220565_9f2885569f_c-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/85iHGZ\">gsloan<\/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-f311268 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f311268\" 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>This is an example of how you shouldn&#8217;t do it. Except for keeping turtles and plecos together, this tank provides little to no hiding places for the common pleco (?). Smaller plecos might hide between the rocks, but this big suckerfish has no place to get away.<\/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-de82669 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"de82669\" 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=\"800\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2908974971_377338a247_c-e1642971802286.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2981\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2908974971_377338a247_c-e1642971802286.jpg 800w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2908974971_377338a247_c-e1642971802286-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2908974971_377338a247_c-e1642971802286-768x392.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/5r4fUT\">NonstickRon<\/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-c4fbd54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4fbd54\" 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>you don&#8217;t have to be a master at aquascaping like the first example. This person is doing a good job at adding both wood and some stones. The only thing I&#8217;d recommend is adding some more plants or optionally some caves.<\/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-1ee2386 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ee2386\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Extra tip: use dark gravel<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1392459 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1392459\" 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>Dark gravel makes plecos feel calmer. They can camouflage way better into a dark background and feel calmer overall. But their colors also tend to come out way better: a double win.<\/p><p>Other types of sand are fine, too, but stay away from bright white sand or colored rocks. These will stress out the pleco and your other 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-b864f87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b864f87\" 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\">Add other active plecos or bottom dwellers<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-633550a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"633550a\" 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>I got this tip from Malik @ AquaMalik. He mentioned adding some bristlenose plecos to every tank where he was seeing shy fish. Primarily with wild-caught specimens, that tend to be shyer.<\/p><p>If you have a shy pleco and space left to add another individual, you can add some lively young fish or active plecos. There&#8217;s a good chance your shy pleco(s) will replicate this behavior. Later, you could remove them.<\/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-7fd14df elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fd14df\" 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\">Add other active schooling fish<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fddbd6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6fddbd6\" 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>I&#8217;ve actually learned this tip from Eric Bodrock from AllOddBallAquatics.com. When hearing it, it sounded so obvious.\u00a0<\/p><p>Plecos live in the lower water layer, which means they are always looking at the fish above them for signals for possible danger.\u00a0<\/p><p>If you add a group of schooling fish like f.e. tetras, plecos have more reasons to think everything is fine. When there aren&#8217;t any fish, on the other hand, they might feel like there is a potential danger.<\/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-fbf0475 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fbf0475\" 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\">Extra reasons why you're pleco is hiding<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d32581 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7d32581\" 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\">Males competing with each other<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-794cf3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"794cf3a\" 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>Do you have multiple plecos in your tank? Then there&#8217;s a good chance that males might be hiding from each other.<\/p><p>You see, when you keep multiple males in one tank, there will always be one dominant male. This male will mate most often and claim the best territory.\u00a0<\/p><p>However, if your tank is too small or doesn&#8217;t have enough natural hiding places, the less dominant males might be forced to hide.<\/p><p>I would recommend you always keep 2-3 female plecos to one male. This way, males will find less need to fight.<\/p><p>Secondly, as suggested above, it&#8217;s extremely important to have enough caves or hiding places.\u00a0<\/p><p>During mating, <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/pleco-aggression\/\">plecos can get aggressive<\/a> and males will assert dominance by claiming the best spots for themselves. It&#8217;s recommended to provide one good hiding place (or pleco cave) <em>per fish <\/em>(including females).<\/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-b7759e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7759e1\" 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\">Pleco hiding behind filter\/aquarium equipment<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5701b45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5701b45\" 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=\"800\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4245975114_12d77f5675_c.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2980\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4245975114_12d77f5675_c.jpg 800w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4245975114_12d77f5675_c-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/4245975114_12d77f5675_c-768x578.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Photo by <a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/7tcJtu\">Pete Brown<\/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-44df614 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44df614\" 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><strong>Plecos often hide behind the filter or heater, because it&#8217;s a safe place with less light and away from potential danger. This is most likely because it&#8217;s stressed and there&#8217;s a lack of other hiding places.<\/strong><\/p><p>But this isn&#8217;t necessarily the case. In the above picture, this bristlenose pleco is just sitting on the filter intake, while there&#8217;s a good amount of natural hiding places visible. Most likely to eat off of the biofilm growing on the filter intake.<\/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-5404391 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5404391\" 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\">Plecos need time to adjust<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6e5c52 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6e5c52\" 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-size: 16px;\">Plecos are sensitive fish. It might just be that your pleco needs some time to get used to its tank and therefore is shyer. This is nothing to worry about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It can take up to 6 months for your pleco to get settled. Mostly it will not take that long, but you can expect it to take a couple of weeks. Especially wild-caught fish tend to take longer to adjust.&nbsp;<\/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-628d24d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"628d24d\" 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\">Wild caught  fish are shyer<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8e9eee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e8e9eee\" 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>In the pleco hobby, it&#8217;s not uncommon to see wild-caught fish pass by. These fish are taken from the wild and thus have more wild instincts left in them.<\/p><p>They are used to running from predators and hiding more. It&#8217;s also obvious that a fish that&#8217;s been taken from its home is less comfortable in artificial conditions like your tank, with other fish and totally different decor.<\/p><p>Unfortunately, there&#8217;s not much you can do except for trying to replicate the pleco&#8217;s wild habitat as much as possible.<\/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-d30c17c elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"d30c17c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/2gj-WJB32kk&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.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-video .elementor-widget-container{overflow:hidden;transform:translateZ(0)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{height:100%;width:100%;display:flex;border:none;background-color:#000}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1\/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% \/ var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-open-inline .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-size:cover;background-position:50%}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{cursor:pointer;text-align:center}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay:hover .elementor-custom-embed-play i{opacity:1}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{display:block;width:100%;aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio);-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:center center;object-position:center center}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1\/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% \/ var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .e-hosted-video .elementor-video{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-video,.e-con>.elementor-widget-video{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c231fbe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c231fbe\" 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>Plecos live in the Amazon basin. In order to give your wild-caught fish the best possible care, you should try and mimic as much of this natural habitat as possible.<\/p><p>Be aware though that not all plecos live in muddy blackwater streams. Zebra plecos f.e. live in the big fast-flowing and oxygen-rich Rio Xing\u00f9.<\/p><p>I&#8217;d recommend you take a look at <a href=\"http:\/\/planetcatfish.com\">Planet Catfish<\/a> to check the natural habitat of the pleco species you are keeping.<\/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-2f1a1bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2f1a1bc\" 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\">Plecos are not more active at night<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe9721e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fe9721e\" 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><strong>Unlike popular belief, plecos are not nocturnal fish. They are diurnal, which means they are active during the day.<\/strong><\/p><p>As a result of this misinformation, many people believe that their pleco hides during the day because it&#8217;s active at night. While in reality, the pleco will come at night because it feels forced to do so and doesn&#8217;t feel comfortable.<\/p><p>I hope that this blog post gave you some more useful information on how to make your pleco more active to solve this.<\/p><p>Read our entire article on <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/are-plecos-more-active-at-night\/\">are plecos nocturnal<\/a> for more.<\/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-3eb8e6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3eb8e6b\" 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\">Bonus tip: add pleco caves<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5957139 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"5957139\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CYO8m1SoowI\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CYO8m1SoowI\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CYO8m1SoowI\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">Een bericht gedeeld door Aquatics (@simple_fins)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46bcde6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"46bcde6\" 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>We&#8217;ve come to my favorite part to talk about: pleco caves. As the name suggests, these caves are caves specifically made for pleco catfish.<\/p><p>Plecos spend most of their time around hiding places. That&#8217;s just their nature. Pleco caves are my number one way to provide hiding and <a href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/breeding-pleco-catfish\/\">breeding opportunities<\/a>.<\/p><p>They are easy to place in your tank and to take out, you can get them in all sizes and shapes, and plecos love them!<\/p><p>So, no reason to not buy pleco caves. You&#8217;ll see that your pleco male will claim this cave and hang out around this most of the time. As a bonus, your plecos are much more likely to spawn in a special cave than in wood or other hiding places.<\/p><p>I&#8217;ve tested many caves, but my favorite pleco caves are from Pleco Ceramics. At $13, you can get a high-quality cave for your pleco. they&#8217;re available on\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/plecoceramics.com\/\">their website<\/a>.\u00a0<\/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-95fe1c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"95fe1c1\" 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\">Final thoughts<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22ddc6f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22ddc6f\" 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>If your pleco is hiding, there are a couple of things you can do to make it more active:<\/p><ul><li>Add natural hiding places such as wood and plants<\/li><li>Add schooling fish that incentivize the pleco&#8217;s natural behavior<\/li><li>Add other, nonshy or active fish<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are some more reasons I found that can cause your pleco to hide:<\/p><ul><li>Competition between males<\/li><li>Plecos need time to adjust<\/li><li>Wild-caught fish tend to be shyer<\/li><\/ul><p>There&#8217;s also a common misunderstanding in the fish-keeping community that plecos would be nocturnal. This is not true. Plecos are active during the day. This means that this isn&#8217;t the reason your pleco is hiding.<\/p><p>Lastly: I&#8217;d recommend adding pleco caves to your tank. They&#8217;re my favorite type of hiding place and they&#8217;re great for breeding, too!<\/p>\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>In the years I have been keeping pleco catfish, this is one of the concerns I get the most often: plecos that hide all the time, and only come out at night. This unfortunately leads to many people believing that that&#8217;s just a pleco&#8217;s nature, while it isn&#8217;t! Plecos can perfectly be active during the &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/keepingcatfish.com\/pleco-hiding\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Why Your Pleco Is Hiding &#038; How To Make It More Active (7 Reasons)<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","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":"default","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>Why Your Pleco Is Hiding &amp; How To Make It More Active (7 Reasons) | Keeping Catfish<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How to get your pleco to be more active during the day. 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