TankBud

Leopard sailfin pleco

Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps

Also known as clown sailfin pleco, Marble sailfin pleco

FreshwaterFish

Leopard sailfin pleco (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–86°F
22–30°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
18.9 in
48 cm
Minimum tank
100 gal
380 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Brazil, Venezuela

Overview

This is a peaceful but solitary bottom dweller that wants its own space and a cave to retreat into during the day. It rasps on wood and surfaces and produces a lot of waste, so strong filtration and frequent water changes are a must. Feed a plant-based diet of algae wafers and blanched vegetables like zucchini and cucumber, and offer driftwood to chew on. Watch tankmates, since a big adult can be clumsy and pushy around the bottom.

In the wild

Leopard sailfin plecos come from the Amazon in Brazil and Venezuela, living in flowing rivers among submerged wood and rocky structure. They are wood-grazers, so driftwood is more than decoration for them. Give them a large tank with plenty of wood, hiding spots, and good current. These fish get huge, so 380 liters is a realistic minimum, not a goal.

Good to know

Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps is a suckermouth catfish in the family Loricariidae, marked by a tall, sail-like dorsal fin and a leopard-spotted pattern. It is one of the larger plecos, reaching about 48 cm. Like other Pterygoplichthys it can gulp air and survive low-oxygen conditions for a while. It is not bred commercially at any scale for the trade.

Did you know

Outside its native range this pleco has become a serious invasive species. In warm regions it digs nesting burrows into riverbanks, and large populations can undermine and collapse the banks, which is one reason releasing aquarium fish is such a problem.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Leopard sailfin 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 Leopard sailfin pleco need?

A Leopard sailfin pleco needs at least 100 gal (380 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Leopard sailfin pleco need?

A Leopard sailfin pleco is comfortable at 72–86°F (22–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

How big does a Leopard sailfin pleco get?

An adult Leopard sailfin pleco reaches about 18.9 in (48 cm).

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