Are Plecos / Suckermouth Catfish Scared of Light?

Are Plecostomus Scared of Light? How to keep Suckermouth Catfish in a Bright Aquarium with No Problem?

Plecostomus are easy to keep fish due to their hardy nature. Plecos eat algae so they clean water. Plecos grow to large sizes therefore; they need a large aquarium with an efficient filter.

Are Suckermouth Catfish Afraid of Intense Light?

Suckermouth Catfish prefer low to medium intensity lights. Plecos will be uncomfortable in high intensity lights. Since most of the Plecostomus are nocturnal, they do not prefer direct light so they highly appreciate hiding places or cover to stay away from direct light.

Add floating plants in the Plecostomus aquarium if you are planning to setup bright lights in the aquarium hood. Plants with large leaves like Amazon Sword are recommended for Plecostomus because they provide hiding spots for the fish. As well as you can provide more hiding spots for Plecostomus with setting up rock caves, adding ornaments etc.

Hiding spots are needed for Suckermouth catfish. If you add more hiding places, then your Plecostomus will feel less shy & will play more in the open. Plecos will know that it can easily hide back, so it will feel comfortable & safe.

Stones are a good option when offering hiding places, but beware of rocks with heaps of calcium content, as they will change the water consistency of your fish tank.

If you have floating plants in the Suckermouth Catfish aquarium that need high intensity lights, then it is ok to add bright lights. Adding heaps of floating plants will lower the intensity of light, & prevent light from directly hitting the bottom of the aquarium. Plecos will comfortably live in the aquarium if you provide cover. High intensity lights usually heat water so floating plants will prevent it from that. In addition, bright lights increase the growth of algae in the aquarium water, so if you have floating plants then it will hinder this process. It is recommended to turn on lights for up to 10 hours a day, as plants need light for photosynthesis. If lights are turned on for longer periods then it will increase the growth of algae, & it won’t let your fish sleep properly. Turning lights on and off mimics a natural day / night cycle in the aquarium, which is a signal for fish to wake up and sleep. It is important to setup a timer with lights to switch them on & off automatically.