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Hi-fin green phantom pleco

Baryancistrus demantoides

Also known as L200 hi-fin, Demantoides pleco, L200 hi-fin green phantom pleco

FreshwaterFish

Hi-fin green phantom pleco (Baryancistrus demantoides)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–84°F
25–29°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
7.1 in
18 cm
Minimum tank
79 gal
300 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Upper Orinoco and Ventuari, Venezuela

Overview

The hi-fin green phantom pleco is a peaceful grazer for a warm, oxygen-rich tank with open rock. It is a fish for keepers with some experience.

Did you know

The trade code L200 covers two species from two different genera. The standard green phantom is Hemiancistrus subviridis, while this taller-finned version is Baryancistrus demantoides.

Caring for the hi-fin green phantom pleco

Give the hi-fin green phantom pleco at least 79 gal (300 L), with plenty of smooth stone. Keep the rock open and well lit, since it grazes the biofilm that grows on sunlit stone.

Keep the water warm and soft, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Run a brisk current to keep it rich in oxygen.

It spends the day gripping the rock and grazing this film of algae and biofilm, called aufwuchs. That diet means it needs a steady supply of vegetable matter, algae wafers and blanched greens, with only occasional protein.

Keep one fish per tank. It is peaceful toward other species but scraps with its own kind over territory, raising its tall dorsal fin when a rival passes. It is a cave spawner, and its breeding is rated moderate.

Good to know

Baryancistrus demantoides is a loricariid, olive to yellow-green with pale cream spots. Its tall dorsal fin is joined to the adipose fin by an extended membrane. The genus name means heavy Ancistrus, and the species name points to the green demantoid garnet.

In the wild

The hi-fin green phantom pleco is found only around the meeting of the Orinoco and Ventuari rivers in Amazonas, Venezuela. It lives in warm shallows running over granite slabs and boulders.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The hi-fin green phantom pleco is a 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

Common questions

What size tank does a hi-fin green phantom pleco need?

A hi-fin green phantom pleco needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a hi-fin green phantom pleco need?

A hi-fin green phantom pleco is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a hi-fin green phantom pleco eat?

A hi-fin green phantom pleco grazes the film of algae and biofilm on rock. It needs a steady supply of vegetable matter, algae wafers and blanched greens, with only occasional protein.

How big does a hi-fin green phantom pleco get?

An adult hi-fin green phantom pleco reaches about 7.1 in (18 cm).

How does a hi-fin green phantom pleco breed?

A hi-fin green phantom pleco spawns in caves. Its breeding is rated moderate.

Related species