Green Phantom Pleco

Looks how to spot one

Bony-plated suckermouth catfish

An elongated, armoured pleco whose hobby name refers to its greenish colouring. It has no membrane joining the dorsal and adipose fins and a shorter dorsal spine than its look-alike Baryancistrus demantoides.123

Personality what they are like

A calm pleco that likes to wedge itself into rock crevices, sharing space well with community fish.14

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Lives in fast-flowing water among granite rocks and enjoys strong current and high oxygen in the tank. It can also gulp air at the surface.124

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs clean, well-oxygenated, flowing water with plenty of rocky crevices. No species-specific water values were found in primary sources; Seriously Fish lists 22-25 C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 2-12 dGH for its very close relative L128 from the same river system.14

Home where they are happiest

Found mostly in cracks and gaps between granite rocks in moving water. Stack smooth rocks and slate to make crevices and use strong filtration or a powerhead.13

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous in aquariums, accepting sinking dried foods, vegetables and frozen foods such as bloodworm (as listed for its close relative L128).4

Company who they like around

Generally peaceful toward other fish; give each pleco its own crevice.4

The story where it all began

Hobbyists kept this fish under the code L200 for years before scientists formally named it in 2005. A second species, Baryancistrus demantoides, was sold under the same code because the two look so alike.213

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 29 July 2020)1

DATZ L-number

L200, a code it shares with Baryancistrus demantoides2

Taxonomy

Family Loricariidae; formally described in 20051