Plecostomus are quite hard to keep alive. This is because they are unable to tolerate high levels of ammonia and tend to die very quickly if exposed to unbearable levels. Moreover, they also require a specific level of PH and water softness.
To keep your Plecostomus alive, you might want to get your hands on an ammonia testing kit. Test the ammonia levels in the fish tank before you introduce a Plecostomus to it. If the water is hard, you can add a piece of driftwood to the fish tank. Not only does it soften the water but it also enriches the water with elements needed for Plecostomus survival.
When you add driftwood to the water, it may turn brown temporarily. While this may not look aesthetically pleasing, it does no harm to the fishes. For those of you who wish for your fish tank to look presentable, you can soak the driftwood in a bucket of water to remove some of its color.
Moreover, add algae water to the fish tank after every three days. This is because Plecostomus feed on algae and need it for their survival.
Once you undertake these steps, you are increasing the likelihood of your Plecostomus surviving.
Food/Eating Habits
Plecostomus are know to feast on algae, plants, invertebrates and tiny fish. They are often referred to as “janitor fish” among aquarists for their knack for cleaning tank algae very thoroughly. Their diet is mostly a gel diet which also has fresh produce too.