Sailfin Pleco

Looks how to spot one

Armoured suckermouth catfish (bony scutes)

A big, armoured pleco with a tall, sail-like dorsal fin. Brown spots over a yellowish base join up into a honeycomb pattern, which softens as the fish ages, and some individuals show a more striped, tiger-like look that helps them blend in.2

Personality what they are like

Peaceful toward other fish and mostly active at night, it hides during the day and comes out to graze after dark. It can be territorial with other plecos.21

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal grazer that needs a large floor area and sturdy hiding places for daytime rest.21

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs a big tank with strong filtration because of its size and appetite. Mature fish may nibble live plants, so choose tough ones. Never release one into the wild.2

Home where they are happiest

Tropical water around 23 to 27 C, pH 6.0 to 8.0 and hardness 5 to 19 dH, in a very large aquarium with driftwood and caves.12

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mainly a plant and algae eater but happily omnivorous: offer algae wafers, vegetables such as spinach, lettuce or carrot, plus occasional meaty foods like bloodworm, earthworm or shrimp.21

Company who they like around

Fine with most community fish of suitable size; usually best as the only large pleco in the tank.2

The story where it all began

Rudolf Kner described the species in the 1850s, and it has moved between the genera Ancistrus, Glyptoperichthys and Pterygoplichthys since. It has long been one of the most popular large plecos in the aquarium hobby.21

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 25 November 2020)1

Taxonomy

Described by Kner (FishBase gives 1854, Wikipedia 1858); previously placed in Ancistrus and Glyptoperichthys2

Family

Loricariidae (suckermouth armoured catfishes)1