FW Fish Profile: Vampire Pleco

[ChilDawg]

Vampire Pleco (Leporacanthicus galaxias)

(Got any pictures? I'd be happy to use them here...)

Name: Vampire Pleco
Other Names: Tocantins Pleco, Tusken Pleco, Galaxy Pleco, Tooth-nose Pleco
Other Names: L-7 (juvenile form), L-29 (adult form)
Scientific Name: Leporacanthicus galaxias
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Ancistrinae

Distribution: Southern tributaries of the middle and lower Amazon, Madeira, Tocantins and Guamá rivers; also known from the Ventuari River basin in the upper Orinoco drainage.
Length: 8.5"-10"
Water Temperature: 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22-25 degrees Celsius)
Diet: These fish love shrimp, prawns and other shellfish as well as snails, but they also should have some vegetable component to their diet.
Water Chemistry: KH 8-12
pH: 5.6-7.5
Lifespan: 10 years

Species Description These are very flattened fish designed for life in fast-flowing rapids. Their eyes are located near the top of their head. The fish is black with grey to beige-gold blotches (the same color which makes up the majority of the background of its fins and rasping mouthpart). It also has many white- to gold-colored spots.

The dorsal is a so-called sailfin and the caudal is a similarly tall structure as well. There is a pair of flipper-like fins on either side of the body.

But the most distinctive features are the bony growth on the head (which is the namesake of the Tusken Pleco) and the sharp fang-like structures which protrude from the rasping mouthpart.

Species Behaviour The Vampire Pleco is peaceful if unmolested, but can be aggressive and territorial toward conspecifics, other large bottom-dwellers and similarly-patterned fishes. They are nocturnal, but may adapt to become crepuscular or even diurnal in captivity.

Natural Conditions Fast-flowing rapids which are probably filled with wood and rocks.

Natural Range Southern tributaries of the middle and lower Amazon, Madeira, Tocantins and Guamá rivers; also known from the Ventuari River basin in the upper Orinoco drainage.

Minimum recommended tank size 50 gallons

Water Temperature 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22-25 degrees Celsius)

Water Quality They do best in slightly alkaline to somewhat acidic conditions (pH 5.6-7.5) where the KH is between 8 and 12.

Sexing Males have a longer, broader head. They have odontodes on the sides of the head, on their pectoral fin spines and throughout their body, as well as a longer dorsal fin than that of their female counterparts.

Breeding Has possibly occurred in captivity, but good records are not available.

Feeding These fish love shrimp, prawns and other shellfish as well as snails, but they also should have some vegetable component to their diet.

Miscellaneous Info Nijssen & Isbrücker's 1989 description of this fish stands as the only one made thus far.

Sources:
Leporacanthicus galaxias
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/Spec...sname=galaxias
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Tropical Fish for Freshwater Aquariums: Tooth-Nose Pleco (L-07a)