Are you wondering what plecos can live in a 10-gallon tank? There are a few different varieties of plecos that can live in a 10-gallon tank.
The most popular type of pleco that can live in a 10 gallon tank is the Bristlenose pleco as it stays small. Other types of plecos that can live in a 10-gallon tank include Gold Spot Dwarf Pleco, Pitbull Pleco, Dwarf Snowball Pleco, Angelicus Pleco, Clown Pleco, and so forth.
So, what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a 10 gallon tank and start enjoying the company of some of these amazing plecos!
Well, before you do that you might wanna go through our article about how to find the Plecos that fit a 10-gallon tank. So, without any further ado, let’s begin!
Here’s a table showcasing the Plecos that are compatible with a 10-gallon tank:
| Species | Max Size |
| Bristlenose Pleco | 3-5 inches |
| Clown Pleco | 3-5 inches |
| Dwarf snowball pleco | 2.4 inches |
| Gold spot dwarf pleco | 2 inches |
| Pitbull Pleco | 3 inches |
| Hemiancistrus sp. | 3.1-3.5 inches |
Are There Any Plecos That Stay Small?
There are a few pleco species that stay small. The smallest is the pygmy pleco (Hypostomus pygmaeus), which grows to only 2.5 inches (6 cm) in length.
Other small plecos include the bristlenose pleco (Ancistrus sp.), Clown Pleco, and Pitbull Pleco.
There exists a wide variety of plecos in the hobby, so it is important to research the specific species you are interested in before purchasing.
Common plecos can grow to be over 24 inches (60 cm) in length, so If you have a really big tank (80 gallons) then you can keep the common plecos.
Furthermore, it is important to note that not all plecos are suitable for the home aquarium.
Some species, like the common pleco (Plecostomus plecostomus) are known for their voracious appetites and can quickly decimate an aquarium’s population of plants and other fish.
Check out our video on the top 3 plecos that stay small and are a good fit for 10-gallon tanks:
Tips:
If you want a pleco for your small tank, buy a bristlenose pleco. They are easy to care for as they will eat all kinds of food. However, to keep them bristlenose plecos healthy you will need to feed them high quality foods. Feed them blanched zucchini or cucumber once every week and regular commercial food on a daily basis. Check out my recommended food for plecos by clicking here.
Recommended Article: Do Plecos Grow To The Size of The Tank?
What Kind of Algae Eater Can Live In a 10 Gallon Tank?
According to fishkeeping experts, the best algae eaters for a 10-gallon aquarium are Amano shrimp, Otocinclus catfish, Nerite snails, Dwarf plecos, and mystery snails.
If you’re looking for an alternative choice, then you should go with Red Cherry Shrimp. However, you should make sure the algae eater that you buy doesn’t outgrow your 10-gallon tank.
An example of such an algae eater would be the Siamese algae eaters. We suggest doing your own research to find the best algae eater for your tank.
Check out our article on, Otocinclus Vs. Plecos to help you understand which one is actually a better algae eater for your tank.
What Is The Smallest Breed of Plecostomus?
Out of all the various species of Plecos, the Dwarf Snowball Pleco is the smallest one. It has distinctive white polka dots all over its body, and it has a tiny size of around 2.4 inches.
The smallest common plecostomus is the Peckoltia species, which generally grows to 3-6 inches in length. Other smaller species include the Hemiancistrus, Hypostomus, and Ancistrus plecostomus.
So, if you’re looking for a Pleco for a smaller tank, one of these species would be a good choice.
How Many Gallons Do Plecos Need?
Common plecos (Hypostomus plecostomus) need a minimum of 75 – 80 Gallons of the fish tank, while most dwarf plecos need at least 10 – 15 gallons of the water tank.
Different Types of Pleco Tank Sizes:
The following table shows the minimum tank size for different species of the plecos:
| Species | Minimum Tank Size |
| Common Pleco | 80 Gallons |
| Blue Phantom Pleco | 70 Gallons |
| Bristlenose Pleco | 10 Gallons |
| Clown Pleco | 10 Gallons |
| Dwarf snowball pleco | 10 Gallons |
| Gold spot dwarf pleco | 10 Gallons |
| Pitbull Pleco | 10 Gallons |
| Rubber Lip Pleco | 50 gallons |
| Galaxy Pleco | 70 gallons |
| Butterfly Pleco | 40 gallons |
| Gold Nugget Pleco | 70 gallons |
Things That You Need to Maintain Your 10-Gallon Tank
Dechlorinator:
Did you know that tap water contains chlorine and/or chloramine to make it safe for human consumption? However, these chemicals can be harmful to the fish and invertebrates in your aquarium. That’s why it’s important to use a dechlorinator to make the water safe for your aquatic pets.
Personally, I would recommend Seachem Prime in my tanks because it’s more concentrated than other brands, which means I don’t have to buy it as often. You can find this dechlorinator just by clicking here.
Related Questions:
Can I Put a Pleco In a 5 Gallon Tank?
Yes, you can! In fact, there are a few different species of dwarf plecos that can live in a 5 gallon tank. But it is not recommended to keep multiple plecos on a 5 gallon tank.
You can keep a single dwarf pleco in a 5 gallon tank for a few days. But transfer it to a bigger tank when it gets bigger.
However, you should make sure that you get a species that has a smaller size in mind.
For example, the Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.) is a small pleco that needs a tank with a minimum capacity of 10 gallons. Another example would be the Gold Spot Dwarf Pleco (Hypostomus sp.), which needs a tank with a minimum capacity of 12 gallons.
What Is The Biggest Pleco?
The Pleco species known as Liposarcus anisitsi is widely considered to be the biggest Pleco on the planet. This can grow to a maximum length of 17 inches. And according to some sources, they can also grow up to a whopping 30 inches.
The second-largest pleco is Hypostomus plecostomus, also known as common pleco. These plecos grow up to 20 inches, it’s available everywhere.
Another contender for this title is the Leopard Pleco. And this species can grow up to 20 inches in size. However, in contrast to Liposarcus anisitsi, this species has a darker, orange-brown color.
Can I Have 2 Plecos In The Same Tank?
Sure! There are many species of Plecos that can be kept in the same tank together. However, you should make sure that the species are not very aggressive to each other.
For example, if you get 2 species of Plecos that are known for their size and aggression, then you should only keep one of them in the same tank. The other one should be kept in a separate tank if it is even possible.
As a side note, I have written an article describing the problems regarding keeping multiple Plecos in the same tank. You can check out this article by clicking here.
Final Thoughts
Now, you know all the answers to your pleco tank question. So, why not go and start the search for the best plecos for your tank?
It should be clear to you that there are a few species of Plecos that can live in a 10-gallon tank.
However, you need to do your own research on the specific species that you want to add to your tank. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
With that being said, do you have any questions about the Plecos that can live in a 10-gallon tank?
Share your thoughts with other fish enthusiasts in the comments section below!
Plecos will produce lots of waste. So, to keep your aquarium water super clean, you must install a good filter. If you are looking for a decent filter for your tank gallon tank, Check this article: 7 Best Filters for 10 Gallon tank: A Complete Buyers Guide
