Do plecos recognize you?

[Zac]

For those that are very familiar with plecos. Here’s my question. Whenever I’m doing a water change my clown pleco doesn’t seem to be bothered by my hand or the water. Sometimes he zooms away but sometimes he won’t budge. I try to poke him or gently pick him up and move him because he’s in my way but he’s adamant on not moving very much. He’s chubby and eats. So does he just not feel threatened? He doesn’t display his fins like he is agitated. This behavior has been going on for a few months so I don’t think he’s sick. Anyone familiar with this kind of behavior?

[Scapexghost]

You could try having someone else put their hand in your tank and see if the pleco acts any differently. My guess is that it won't. The pleco doesn't see you as a threat anymore and that behavior would extend to any human.

[Zaffis]

If you really need the pleco to move you could probably get it to by just sticking a net in the water 😃

[Guppysnail]

All of mine come front to the food dish begging when they see me and do not move at my hand in tank. One is convinced the python siphon is a food source or toy or some such. My hubby or niece walk up to look they dart away and hide. 

[Tanked]

As @Scapexghostsaid, the pleco probably doesn't see you as a threat.  I kept a common pleco for more than a decade.  It would usually retreat to its cave during water changes, but for other events it would either move a few inches, or lock fins and stand it's ground.  At feeding time it learned to swim belly up on the surface, and had no objection to receiving a belly rub while feeding.