L-190 Royal Pleco

Royal Plecos need larger aquariums with extensive filtration. A bottom-dwelling species, you’ll want to include lots of driftwood and rock for grazing. This large species will need additional foods such as prepared algae wafers and blanched vegetables.

Are Royal Pleco easy to care for?

The main challenge when caring for Royal Plecos is ensuring a large enough tank; at least 125 gallons is recommended. This species isn’t particularly susceptible to disease but needs to be protected from faster, fin-nipping tank mates.

Temperature

Royal Plecos prefer water temperature between 72° – 79° F. Ideally keep temperatures on the warm side of this range. This species can become lethargic and have trouble feeding in colder water.

Water pH

Royal Plecos need mostly neutral water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Keeping this range can be a challenge in tanks with large quantities of driftwood which can buffer acidity. If you find your pH is dropping too low, include a mesh bag with crushed coral or aragonite sand in your filter to increase water alkalinity.

Royal Pleco Size

Royal Plecos can grow up to 17 inches long in captivity. While this is a slow-growing fish, you’ll want to provide a large enough aquarium to ensure it will be comfortable when fully mature.

Growth Rate

Royal Plecos will take around 2 years to reach their mature size of 17 inches.

Food & Diet

While Royal Plecos will rasp and graze driftwood and rock, this is unlikely to provide enough nutrition in most aquariums. Regular foods should include prepared algae-based wafers and flake with small amounts of meatier foods in pellet, flake, or wafer forms. While Royal Plecos are herbivores, they can benefit from the occasional feeding of high-protein foods. This is a bottom feeding fish, so make sure any foods sink quickly. Specialty food products are available such as Repashy Morning Wood.

Royal Pleco Lifespan

Royal Plecos will live around 10 years in most aquariums. This species can live longer in larger tanks with expert care.

Royal Pleco Tank Size

Royal Plecos are a large species and need a minimum take size of 125 gallons. Ensure enough depth and width to allow this bottom-dwelling fish to comfortably move and turn as it grows larger. Rectangular tanks should have at least 18 inches of depth, but preferably 24 inches.

Tank Setup

Royal Plecos need large tanks with enough width and depth to allow easy movement. Provide lots of driftwood and rocks for grazing and excellent filtration. This fish keeps to the bottom areas of aquariums and isn’t a powerful swimmer. Their tanks should have enough floor area to allow easy movement. You’ll want to plan for their large mature size.

Plenty of driftwood is critical as Royal Plecos are constant grazers. They don’t only scrape wood and rock for algae but can rasp away at, and eat, wood. Their grazing behavior can destroy many common aquarium plants. Any attempt at a planted tank with this species needs to be approached carefully. Floating plants like duckweed are usually safe bets but large leafy plants are tempting targets for this species. Plastic plants aren’t a good choice as Royal Plecos will rasp at these and ingest plastic particles which can cause digestive problems and might kill your fish.

Filtration will be another important consideration. This is a messy fish, particularly as it grows in size. You’ll need a powerful filtration system which will likely include canister filters and power heads. Using power heads to create tank currents is important to kick up debris and allow for removal by the filtration system. Without enough flow inside the aquarium, debris can collect–especially under driftwood–and rot, causing water quality to suffer. When placing power heads, make sure to avoid creating dead spots of inadequate current.