Vampire pleco (L029)
Leporacanthicus galaxias
Also known as L029, L030, Galaxy Pleco, Tusken Pleco
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 79–86°F
- 26–30°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 9.8 in
- 25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Origin
- Rio Tocantins in Para, Brazil.
Overview
The vampire pleco (L029) is a large, predatory pleco for a big tank with strong flow. It is a fish for experienced keepers only.
Did you know
A hungry vampire pleco is an effective hunter of live snails. Some keepers add one just to knock back a Malaysian trumpet snail population.
Caring for the vampire pleco (L029)
Give a vampire pleco (L029) a tank of at least 66 gal (250 L), with plenty of rock caves. Keep the flow vigorous and the water clean and well oxygenated. Hold it at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Feed a carnivore diet of frozen or live snails, bloodworms, mysis, prawn and chopped mussel. Add sinking carnivore pellets as well.
The vampire pleco is a solitary fish, territorial and often aggressive toward other bottom dwellers. Give it space and its own defensible cave, and choose its tank mates with care. Breeding it is hard.
Good to know
The vampire pleco (L029) was described as Leporacanthicus galaxias, and it is traded as both L029 and L030. Its species name comes from the pale, star-like spots scattered over its dark body. Its genus is known for the enlarged upper teeth behind the vampire nickname. Those specialized teeth mark it out as a dedicated invertebrate hunter.
In the wild
The vampire pleco (L029) lives in fast, rocky rapids of the Rio Tocantins in Para, Brazil, with high oxygen and strong current. It is a carnivore that hunts snails and other invertebrates. It uses a pair of long, fang-like teeth in the upper jaw to pull soft prey from shells.
Common questions
What size tank does a vampire pleco (L029) need?
A vampire pleco (L029) needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a vampire pleco (L029) need?
A vampire pleco (L029) is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a vampire pleco (L029) eat?
A vampire pleco (L029) is a carnivore. Feed it frozen or live snails, bloodworms, mysis, prawn and chopped mussel, with sinking carnivore pellets.
How big does a vampire pleco (L029) get?
An adult vampire pleco (L029) reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).
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