Blue phantom pleco (L128)

Hemiancistrus sp. L128

Also known as L128, Blue Phantom Plec

FreshwaterFish

Blue phantom pleco (L128) (Hemiancistrus sp. L128)

Care at a glance

Temperature: 81–86°F; 27–30°C
pH: 6.0–7.4
Adult size: 9.8 in; 25 cm
Minimum tank: 66 gal; 250 L

Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Difficult
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Family: Loricariidae
Origin: Rio Orinoco drainage of Colombia and Venezuela.

Overview

A large, warmth-loving pleco best kept in a tank of 250 liters or more with vigorous flow. Feed heavily on protein such as sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, mysis, and shrimp, with only occasional greens, since it shows little interest in algae. It is sensitive to poor water quality and low oxygen, which makes it one of the trickier phantom plecos to keep well.

In the wild

Comes from very warm, rocky, fast-flowing reaches of the Orinoco where the water sits around 28 to 32 C. It grazes aufwuchs off submerged rock, but the film it eats is loaded with small crustaceans and insect larvae, so the wild diet is closer to omnivore than herbivore. Wants high oxygen, strong flow, and rock caves to claim.

Good to know

Still undescribed and traded only by its L-number, L128 is a close relative of the green phantom L200. Adults show a deep blue to blue-black body covered in small pale blue or white spots. The blue intensity varies with the individual, its mood, and diet.

Did you know

L128 needs noticeably warmer water than most plecos, and keeping it too cool is a common reason imported specimens fail to settle.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Blue phantom pleco (L128) is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator