In the aquarium Pterygoplichthys

pterygoplichthys multiradiatus, sold common pleco, aquarium fish purchased algae eater.

p. gibbiceps has been bred commercially in fish farms in florida , malaysia aquarium trade. p. multiradiatus , p. pardalis both known common plecos , sold algae eaters. however, of them grow large housed in average home aquarium. in fact, in wild, common pleco can exceed 2 feet in length, and, growing large, produce lot of waste can pollute water.