Vampire Pleco (L029)

Care at a glance

Overview

A large, predatory pleco for a tank of 250 liters or more with strong flow and plenty of caves. Feed a carnivore diet of frozen or live snails, bloodworms, mysis, prawn, and chopped mussel along with sinking carnivore pellets. Territorial and often aggressive toward other bottom dwellers, so give it space and its own defensible cave.

In the wild

Lives in fast, rocky rapids of the Rio Tocantins with high oxygen and strong current. It is a carnivore that hunts snails and other invertebrates, using a pair of long fang-like teeth in the upper jaw to pull soft prey from shells. Wants vigorous flow, rock caves, and clean well-oxygenated water.

Good to know

Described as Leporacanthicus galaxias, the galaxy name coming from the pale star-like spots scattered over its dark body. Traded as both L029 and L030, it belongs to a genus known for the enlarged upper teeth that earned it the vampire nickname. Those specialized teeth mark it out as a dedicated invertebrate hunter.

Did you know

A hungry vampire pleco is an effective live snail hunter, and some keepers add one specifically to knock back a Malaysian trumpet snail population.

Related species

• 

  Sultan Pleco (L264)

  Leporacanthicus joselimai

  8.7 in (22 cm)66 gal (250 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)
• Leopard Cactus Pleco (L114)

  Pseudacanthicus cf. leopardus

  13.8 in (35 cm)106 gal (400 L)81–88°F (27–31°C)
• Sunshine Pleco (L014)

  Scobinancistrus aureatus

  13.8 in (35 cm)106 gal (400 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)
• Blue Phantom Pleco (L128)

  Hemiancistrus sp. L128

  9.8 in (25 cm)66 gal (250 L)81–86°F (27–30°C)
• Scarlet Cactus Pleco (L025)

  Pseudacanthicus pirarara

  15.7 in (40 cm)119 gal (450 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)