Blue Phantom Pleco (L128)

Care at a glance

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.

Related species

• 

  Green Phantom Pleco (L200)

  Hemiancistrus subviridis

  7.1 in (18 cm)53 gal (200 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)

• 

  Gold nugget pleco

  Baryancistrus sp. cf. xanthellus

  9.8 in (25 cm)55 gal (210 L)81–90°F (27–32°C)

• 

  Sultan Pleco (L264)

  Leporacanthicus joselimai

  8.7 in (22 cm)66 gal (250 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)

• 

  Blue-eyed pleco

  Panaque cochliodon

  11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Spotted pleco

  Hypostomus punctatus

  11.8 in (30 cm)79 gal (300 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
• Vampire Pleco (L029)

  Leporacanthicus galaxias

  9.8 in (25 cm)66 gal (250 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)