Plecos for Sale: Pleco Fish and Tropical Catfish
Buy plecos and tropical catfish online, peaceful bottom dwellers that graze algae and tidy up leftover food, quarantined and delivered across the UK by overnight courier with our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Pleco and Catfish FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we are asked most about plecos and tropical catfish.
Do plecos eat algae?
Yes. The bristlenose pleco and whiptail catfish graze algae from glass, rocks and wood, but they also need sinking algae wafers and vegetables such as courgette so they do not go hungry in a clean tank.
How big do plecos grow?
It depends on the species. The common pleco can grow to well over 30cm, which is why we stock smaller species. Bristlenose plecos usually reach 10 to 15cm and whiptails around 12cm, so they suit most community tanks.
What size tank do plecos and catfish need?
A bristlenose or whiptail is happy in a tank of around 90 litres or more. The Synodontis catfish and striped Raphael catfish grow larger and need 120 litres or more.
Do plecos need driftwood?
Bristlenose plecos rasp on aquarium driftwood, which aids their digestion, and all our catfish appreciate caves and wood to hide in during the day. Browse our aquarium decor.
Are plecos and catfish nocturnal?
Many are. Raphael and Synodontis catfish are most active after dark, so feed them sinking food just after the lights go out.
What fish can live with plecos and catfish?
Plecos are peaceful and mix with most community fish. Raphael and Synodontis catfish are peaceful too but may eat very small fish at night, so keep them with mid sized tank mates rather than tiny tetras or nano fish.
Are catfish safe to net?
Raphael and Synodontis catfish have sharp fin spines that tangle in nets, so move them in a container or jug instead.
What temperature do plecos and catfish need?
Most of our plecos and catfish do well between 23 and 27°C in clean, well oxygenated water with good filtration.
How are plecos and catfish delivered?
Every fish is quarantined and health checked before it leaves us. Live fish are dispatched Monday to Wednesday by DEFRA approved overnight courier, so they spend just one night in transit, and every order is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Read more about how live tropical fish are delivered.