Do Plecos Grow To The Size of The Tank?

Are you worried that your Plecos might grow too large for your tank? You’re not alone. This is a common concern for many Pleco owners. 

Most Plecos do not grow to the size of the tank as the average Pleco size is around 6-8 inches. However, some species of Plecos can grow up to 15 inches in captivity.  So,  depending on the species, plecos may outgrow a small tank.

Let’s take a deep dive into the topic of Pleco growth. We’ll discuss the average Pleco size, how to choose the right species, and tips for keeping your Pleco healthy. 

The Average Pleco Size 

The average Pleco size is around 6-8 inches. However, some species of Plecos can grow significantly larger. 

The largest species of Plecos are the Giant Plecos, which can grow up to 2 feet in length. Other large Pleco species include the Common Pleco, the Redtail Pleco, and the Green Swordtail Pleco. 

If you’re concerned about your Pleco growing too large, it’s important to do your research and choose a suitable species for your tank size. 

You can also work to create a healthy and comfortable environment for your Pleco, which will help to keep them from growing too large.

Popular Pleco size chart And Minimum Tank Size:

What Size Tank Do I Need For a Pleco?

A 150-gallon tank is required for an adult common pleco. However, when they are young, they can be kept in smaller aquariums as long as there is a plan to move them as they get bigger.

Consider at least a 55-gallon tank to allow a young pleco room to grow. You should always go for a larger aquarium while keeping common plecos.

Smaller tanks are fine as the fish grows, but you’re going to have to move them to a much larger aquarium at some point.

How Long Does It Take For a Pleco To Reach Full Size?

Typically, A common pleco grows about 3-5 inches in its first year. It takes about five years for a common pleco to grow to its full size.

After that, its growth rate will slow down until it attains its full size of 20-25 inches in the wild, whereas up to 15 inches in captivity. Several factors can affect your pleco’s growth. 

Like some plecos grow faster or bigger purely because of their genes. Another reason can be tang size; Your pleco requires ample room to maximize its growth range. 

While you can keep it in a small 20-gallon tank as a juvenile, it will need a 75-gallon tank or bigger to thrive. Or it can be environmental conditions and feeding.

Will Plecos Stay Small in a Small Tank? 

The larger species of plecos, such as common plecos, will not stay small in a small tank, but the dwarf plecos will. 

So, there is no definitive answer to this question since Plecos can vary in size quite a bit depending on their species,  environment, and diet.

However, generally speaking, Plecos will stay small in a small tank if you choose the right species and they are given a suitable environment and diet. 

Moreover, it is important to monitor Plecos closely and ensure they get the proper nutrition and water changes to keep them healthy.

But if their size starts to outgrow their tank, it is best to move them to a larger tank.

Larger species of plecos will not grow to their full potential in a small tank. But they will grow big enough that you will no longer be able to keep them in a small tank.

So the bottom line is some Plecos do stay small in a small tank, while some outgrow the tank.

As a side note, I have written an article on, What Plecos Can Live In a 10 Gallon Tank? This may help you choose the right pleco species that will not grow too big.

How Long Does it Take a Pleco to Reach Full Size?

The growth phase of a Pleco is a remarkably long process. It typically takes around five years for a pleco to grow to its full size. 

Although growth is fast at first, it slows down after about a year. A regular pleco usually grows around 3-5 inches during the first year. 

After that, the Pleco will keep growing, albeit slowly, until it attains a size of 20-25 inches.

How Big Will a Pleco Get In a 30 Gallon Tank?

A 30-gallon tank would be ideal for a Pleco while it’s growing up. But, it should be noted that this is only true when they are small in size.

The common Pleco is by far the most popular species of Plecos out there and it is able to grow up to 24 inches while being inside a 30-gallon tank.

Most people keep plecos in their tank to battle algae problem. If you have a small tank, Otocinclus catfish is obviously a better choice for most people as they are smaller than plecos. To learn more, check out my article on, Otocinclus Vs. Pleco: Which One is Better?

Related Questions: 

Do Plecos Ever Stop Growing? 

Technically, Plecos never stop growing. But, their growth does slow down significantly as they grow old. If the Plecos remain healthy, the older they get the bigger they will be. In fact, some Plecos can reach lengths of over 1 foot in captivity.

What’s The Size of a Common Pleco? 

The size of a common Pleco can vary depending on the particular Pleco, but they typically range from around 6 inches to 12 inches long. Also, Plecos can vary in weight from a few ounces to a few pounds.

What’s The Size of a Bristlenose Pleco? 

The size of a Bristlenose Pleco can vary depending on the particular Pleco, but they typically range from around 12 inches to 18 inches long.

Final Thoughts 

There you go! If you have a common pleco in a small tank, it will definitely grow to the size of the tank.

If you’re concerned about your Pleco growing too large, it’s important to do your research and choose a species that is suitable for your tank size.

You can also work to create a healthy and comfortable environment for your Pleco, which will help to keep them from growing too large.

Hopefully, our article answered your query regarding whether Plecos grow to the tank size or not. From the information we’ve provided, it seems that the size of the tank does not affect the size of the Pleco.

However, it is important to note that the size of the tank will affect the number of Plecos that can be housed in it. 

In conclusion, common Plecos will grow to the size of the tank, regardless of the size of the tank. So, choose the right species of pleco for smaller tanks.

Thanks for reading this blog, if you have a minute check out my article on, Can Two Plecos Live Together?