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Mango pleco

Baryancistrus chrysolomus

Also known as L047, Yellow fin mango pleco

FreshwaterFish
Mango pleco (Baryancistrus chrysolomus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
81–88°F (27–31°C)
pH
6.0–7.2
Adult size
11.8 in (30 cm)
Minimum tank
119 gal (450 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Rio Xingu, Brazil
Family
Loricariidae

Overview

Keep this Xingu grazer singly; it is peaceful with other species but territorial toward its own kind. It spends the day working biofilm and algae off boulders and open rock, so it needs a vegetable-based diet: algae wafers, blanched greens, and only occasional protein. It comes from hot, racing water, so it demands warmth, strong flow, and high oxygen to stay healthy. Give it a large tank of at least 450 liters with open rock, driftwood, and room to bulldoze along the floor.

In the wild

It is endemic to the Rio Xingu in Para, Brazil, specifically the churning stretch above the Belo Monte falls, where hot, fast, oxygen-rich water pours over boulders. Recreate that as closely as you can with strong flow, brisk aeration, and open stone. Keep it hot, around 27 to 31 C, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. High oxygen is not optional for a fish from this kind of rapids.

Good to know

Baryancistrus chrysolomus is a loricariid that reaches about 30 centimeters, a velvety near-black fish edged with a gold band along the dorsal, tail, and pectoral fins. Its name joins the Greek words for gold and for edge, describing exactly that fin trim. It is a cave-spawning species of moderate breeding difficulty.

Did you know

The gold rind along its fins is where the mango name comes from, and the scientific name says the same thing: chrysolomus means gold-edged, for the yellow band that hems its dark fins for life.

Tank mates

Mango pleco is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Mango pleco need?

A Mango pleco needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Mango pleco need?

Mango pleco are comfortable at 81–88°F (27–31°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.

How big do Mango pleco get?

An adult Mango pleco reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Plecos · Community fish · Bottom dwellers

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