L-201 Snowball Pleco

The average Snowball Pleco size is around 5.5 and 6.3 inches in length when fully grown. Compared to other popular types of plecos, Snowballs are actually quite small.

Generally, the lifespan of a healthy Snowball Pleco will be between 8 and 10 years. That’s actually a bit shorter than the Common Pleco.

These fish depend on stable water conditions and proper husbandry in order to thrive. Without good care, they can quickly succumb to diseases, resulting in a dramatically shortened lifespan. This means if you plan on owning a Snowball Pleco, proper care is paramount.

Appearance

Snowball Plecos are beautiful creatures with a familiar shape. They have that same iconic Pleco profile. This includes a flattened belly, underturned mouth, and torpedo-shaped outline.

Like other Plecos, Snowballs have splayed-out pectoral and pelvic fins. They also have a large triangular dorsal fin. In the right conditions, you might see this fin standing at attention, giving the fish a unique look.

The base coloration for Snowball Plecos is black or dark gray. Males may also have a dark brown color with a slight tinge of red. For both males and females, the base color is accented with white or pale yellow polka dots!

These dots cover the entire body. You can find them on the fins, on the head, and everywhere in between! They offer a nice contrast to the fish’s overall dark look.

Differences between males and females are pretty easy to spot. Males usually have a subtle red tone to them. Also, females are plumper and more rounded.

Author Note: Male fish also have more pronounced odontodes, which are external teeth on the side of the head.

Snowball Pleco Care

Snowball Pleco care really isn’t too difficult. As we mentioned earlier, they adapt well to life in an aquarium.

However, there are still some bases you need to cover. Like any other fish, SnowballPlecos have some unique needs you have to address if you want them to thrive. Doing so can help your fish reach its full potential and live a long, happy life!

Tank Size

Let’s start with tank size! Thanks to their smaller stature, you don’t need to plan ahead for massive growth like you would with other Plec

These fish do fine in aquariums that can hold as little as 40 gallons.

However, it’s a good idea to go larger if you plan on creating a community tank. The more space available to this fish, the better.

In fact, most of the Snowball Plecos that have lived the longest were kept in large tanks. There’s something about the extra room that makes a big difference.

Water Parameters

Snowball Plecos come from an interesting natural environment. The Rio Negro is dark, mimicking tea-stained water. Decaying plant matter at the bottom of the river bed is what causes this distinct color.

With the darker color comes unique water composition. The water is relatively soft, but it’s also more acidic than waters you may be used to. These fish can tolerate water that’s on the neutral side, but they do best if their environment has some acidity.

To keep your Snowball Pleco healthy, recreate these water conditions as closely as possible. Purchase an aquarium thermometer and water test kit to ensure that the following parameters are stable at all times.

• Water temperature: 72°F to 86°F
• pH levels: 5.0 to 7.6 (somewhere in the middle is ideal)
• Water hardness: 6 to 10 dKH

When you initially get these fish it’s a good idea to test the water more frequently. That will help you determine if the parameters are consistent while your fish adjust.