All fish / Loricariidae

Vampire Pleco

Pseudacanthicus histrix

Also known as l155, ldA 02, l024, green pleco, histrix pleco, pseudacanthicus hystrix, spiny pleco, プセウドアカンシクス・ヒストリクス, 吸血鬼异型

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A large, heavily armoured pleco with a dark olive to greenish body, rough spiny scutes and a tall dorsal fin, often with orange-tinged fin edges when young. Keepers value it as an impressive, rugged-looking showpiece catfish for big Amazon setups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

26 to 30 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Singly, or in a very large tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, mussel, prawn, fish, bloodworm and other meaty foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: lower Amazon basin, Rio Xingu and Tocantins region

Breeding

A cave spawner in which the male guards the eggs inside a tight cave until the fry hatch. Captive spawning has been reported only rarely and needs a very large tank, warm, well-oxygenated water and suitable caves.

Good to know

Grows to around 30 cm or more and becomes territorial towards other bottom dwellers, so it needs a big tank with strong filtration and flow. It is a meat eater, not an algae cleaner, and has been sold under several L-numbers that are confused with similar Pseudacanthicus species.