All fish / Loricariidae

Green Phantom Pleco

Baryancistrus beggini

Also known as green phantom pleco, l200, l-200, lime green pleco, green phantom plec, high fin green phantom, l200 low fin, baryancistrus l200, グリーンファントムプレコ, 绿幽灵异型, L200

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A flattened suckermouth catfish with a lime to olive green body covered in small pale yellow spots and a tall dorsal fin. It is kept for its striking colour and because it grazes biofilm and algae without the size of common plecos.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

26 to 30 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

240 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a group in a large tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Omnivore: algae wafers, vegetable-based sinking foods, blanched vegetables, plus bloodworm and other frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Venezuela and Colombia: Orinoco basin, especially the Río Orinoco and Ventuari

Breeding

A cave spawner in which the male guards the eggs and fry inside a crevice. Captive breeding is rare and most fish in the trade are still wild caught.

Good to know

Needs warm, highly oxygenated water with good current and can be territorial towards other bottom-dwelling plecos. Colour fades in poor conditions, and the high-fin form traded as L200 is sometimes confused with Hemiancistrus subviridis.