14/07/2026
Meet the "Janitor Fish" that doesn't actually clean up waste... 🧹🐟
If you've ever been told to buy a Pleco (Suckermouth Catfish) to "eat fish p**p and clean your tank," we’ve got some bad news: you’ve fallen for one of the biggest myths in the aquarium hobby!
Here’s the real scoop on these prehistoric-looking bottom dwellers:
🚫 They don’t eat f***s: No fish does! Plecos have the exact same nutritional needs as any other fish. Leaving them to starve on "leftovers" is a recipe for disaster.
🥒 They need real food: Plecos are specialized herbivores and scavengers. They need sinking algae wafers and fresh veggie treats (like zucchini or peas) to thrive.
🪵 They need driftwood: Armored catfishes actually need real driftwood in their tank. Rasping the wood provides crucial dietary fiber that keeps their digestive tracts moving.
💩 They are p**p machines: Ironically, because common plecos grow up to a foot (or more!) in length, they produce a massive amount of waste themselves, heavily taxing your filter.
Check out our new infographic below to learn how to properly care for these amazing oddball fish and keep your tank truly healthy! 👇
