Leopard Sailfin Pleco

Looks how to spot one

Armoured suckermouth catfish (bony scutes)

A large sailfin pleco with a broad, high dorsal fin carrying many rays (11 to 13), which separates it from Hypostomus plecos. Its armoured body is covered in leopard-like dark spots, and the trade also offers albino and pale 'chocolate' forms.2

Personality what they are like

A calm, bottom-living grazer that spends its time on wood, rocks and the substrate. Like its relatives it is most active around dusk and night.23

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Needs lots of floor space; in nature members of its genus dig burrows into riverbanks.24

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Heavy feeder, so it needs powerful filtration and regular water changes, plus an aquarium sized for a fish that can pass 40 cm. Never release one into the wild.21

Home where they are happiest

Tropical water around 23 to 28 C, pH about 7.0 to 7.5 and moderately hard (10 to 20 dH), with driftwood and large caves.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Grazes on algae and detritus and picks at small bottom-living organisms; in aquariums, algae wafers and vegetables with some protein foods suit it.41

The story where it all began

Francis de Castelnau described this species in 1855 from the Amazon. It became a mainstay of the aquarium trade, where it is often sold under the general name 'common pleco' alongside Hypostomus plecostomus.21

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 25 November 2020)1

Taxonomy

Described by Castelnau in 1855; family Loricariidae1