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Pleco ~ PlecostomusLeopard Plecostomus, Clown PlecostomusFamily: Loricariidae Glyptoperichthys gibbicepsPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More Hi there. I was just wondering if someone could tell me what kind of plecos I have. I bought two grey ones with a couple black spots on them and I also have a black... (more) chrissy st jules One of the hardiest and most enduring of all catfishes, the Pleco or Plecostomus is the most common catfish used for getting rid of problem algae in the aquarium!Leopard Pleco Contents The Sailfin Pleco or Plecostomus are nocturnal so it is best to feed them in the evening just before turning out the lights. A word of caution, they have been known to remove slime from laterally flattened fish like discus and angelfish when they are sleeping! Even though they are herbivores they can get quite large and can become too big for small aquariums. Keep some wood in the tank since rasping algae from the wood provides a perfect place for more algae to grow maintaining a constant food source for this fish. Also, the cellulose in wood is necessary for their digestive process. Pleco or Plecostomus make very good community fish as they are peaceful with other tankmates. The only exception to this is they can get aggressive and territorial towards other plecos if they were not raised together. There are many species (over 100 species) sold under the name "Pleco" and the main differences between the species seems to be in their varying color patterns. The Hypostomus genus is more frequently sold in pet stores, but the Sailfin Plecostomus is sometimes available as well. Whats in a name? gibbiceps comes from the Latin gibbus—hump and Greek cep—head For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Pleco or Plecostomus are found in river systems in most parts of South America.
- Scientific Name: Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps
- Social Grouping: Groups - Can be kept as single specimens in the home aquarium. If the fish are not raised together and the aquarium is not large enough, territorial disputes may arise between individuals.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
All Plecostomus are very popular because of their peaceful nature and ability to help keep your aquarium free of algae. The Sailfin Plecostomus is no exception. They are herbivorous and will pose no threat to smaller peaceful tank mates. Plecos have an elongated, dark brown body with a large head. The body is covered in bony plates except the belly which is flat. Plecos have small eyes that are set high on the head. The Sailfin pleco has a beautiful dorsal fin the can be several inches high and resembles the dorsal fin of the marine Sailfish.
- Maximum Size: 20.0 inches (50.80 cm) - This fish is often sold to aquarists coming into fish stores complaining of high algae, who will enter and leave the store without realizing how large the adult size of the fish they have just purchased. Additionally, it is often falsely reported that this fish is a suitable algae eater for goldfish bowls which is not the case for this tropical fish.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Since they are herbivorous the Pleco or Plecostomus will eat undesirable algae. They will not harm plants, but make sure the aquarium is well seasoned and do feed a supplemental sinking algae pellet to make sure they don't starve. Because they are super algae eaters, they must have their veggies! (Note: they have not been observed to eat blue algae.)
- Diet Type: Herbivore
- Flake Food: No
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Vegetable Food: All of Diet - Feed algae wafers or sinking pellets to ensure they get enough to eat, especially in aquariums with little or no algae.
- Feeding Frequency: Weekly - The Leopard Pleco will happily subsist on the algae growth in the tank provided it is plentiful enough. The aquarist keeping a Pleco for these purposes should only feed their specimen(s) when algae levels become too low.
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
Juvenile Plecostomus
The aquarium should have plenty of wood for the fish to 'chew'. Not only do they rasp off algae, but the wood may provide a necessary digestive aid.
- Minimum Tank Size: 100 gal (379 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
- Temperature: 73.0 - 86.0° F (22.8 - 30.0° C)
- Range ph: 6.5-8.0
- Hardness Range: 4 - 18 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: All
They are a good community fish, they are not aggressive and because they are herbivorous, smaller fish are in no danger of being eaten.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - Although peaceful by nature, specimens will occasionally develop a taste for the slime coating of their tankmates. Large, slow moving, laterally compressed fish such as Discus and Angelfish are in particular danger in this regard. Furthermore, Leopard Plecos who did not grow up together may be hostile towards one another if suddenly placed in shared quarters.
- Compatible with:
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor
- Aggressive: (): Monitor - Many semi-aggressive and aggressive fish will not bother plecostomus catfish.
- Slow Swimmers & Eaters: (): Safe
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
- Plants: Monitor - Adult Sailfin Plecostomus will eat many plants.
Not known.
This fish has not successfully been bred in aquariums.
- Ease of Propagation: Difficult - A precise method of breeding has yet to be defined although there are various methods that appear successful. The condition of the fish seems critical to breeding. Since Leopard Plecos are so large there are certainly practicality evaluations that need to be made before breeding this fish.
Plecos are very hardy fish, but are subject to the same diseases as other tropical fish. One of the most common freshwater fish ailments is ich. For information about freshwater fish diseases and illnesses, see: Aquarium Fish Diseases and Treatments.
The Pleco or Plecostomus is readily available.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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