New Hi-Fin Green Phantom Pleco

[Ryan029]

Hello everyone,
Really exciting day for us as one of our favorite fish stores got a huge shipment in from a wholesaler in Columbia. Among other cool specimens, they got in a hand full of these hi-fin green phantoms. The store employee told us they were all wild caught? Though I am not sure if these pleco's are even naturally occuring or not to be honest. Anyone happen to know?
At any rate, we've got it in our 60 gallon tank with two other south american cichlids. Very pleased with how they are all getting on so far. We did 7 minutes of floating in the tank to match temp. followed by a 45 minute drip acclimation process. Then into the tank. We've got cucumber and zuchini in the tank right now stuffed with veggie waffers..but no interest as of yet from the pleco. Probably too soon to expect it to eat, it may even be nocturnal like our other pleco? Anyone know? Anyways just wanted to share the new acquisition with anyone who may be interested. Anyone with experience/advice/comments in general are all welcomed and appreciated. Thanks!

 

[AG458]

That's an awesome pleco! I would try feeding it later in the day, close to dark; my common pleco only eats at night. Two quick questions: how big do those get, and are they compatible with other plecos? It seems like an awesome fish to have.

 

[AquaAlex1993]

Yes, green phantom plecos do exist in nature and our wild of course. They are a stunning pleco and so much different than common plecos (who I call junk. they produce a ton of waste and are sold as algae eaters but are in fact very useless.)
Green phantom plecos usually max out at about 5'' to 7'' if I'm not mistaken. So the one you got may already be in the adult phase. I enjoy being smaller ones and growing them out.
Vegetable based foods are ideal. Wafers, cucumber, zucchini, and other veggies work.
One of my favorite plecos!

 

[Ryan029]

That's an awesome pleco! I would try feeding it later in the day, close to dark; my common pleco only eats at night. Two quick questions: how big do those get, and are they compatible with other plecos? It seems like an awesome fish to have.

So my research suggests that they can get up to around 6 inches in length as adults. No it isn't aggressive really. I have read that males can be territorial, but they would have to be pretty cramped up. The store I bought them from had several in a rather small 20-30 gallon tank and they weren't chasing each other off and none had fin damage or anything. I am hoping someone with some first hand experience with these fella's can chime in and answer all our questions!

 

[AG458]

Yes, green phantom plecos do exist in nature and our wild of course. They are a stunning pleco and so much different than common plecos (who I call junk. they produce a ton of waste and are sold as algae eaters but are in fact very useless.)
Green phantom plecos usually max out at about 5'' to 7'' if I'm not mistaken. So the one you got may already be in the adult phase. I enjoy being smaller ones and growing them out.
Vegetable based foods are ideal. Wafers, cucumber, zucchini, and other veggies work.
One of my favorite plecos!

I want to feed my pleco vegetables; I tried putting in an algae pellet for him but he didn't go after it (maybe it was the time of day). How should I: 1) prepare the vegetable, and 2) make it sink to the bottom, in a way that won't harm my fish?

 

[Ryan029]

Yes, green phantom plecos do exist in nature and our wild of course. They are a stunning pleco and so much different than common plecos (who I call junk. they produce a ton of waste and are sold as algae eaters but are in fact very useless.)
Green phantom plecos usually max out at about 5'' to 7'' if I'm not mistaken. So the one you got may already be in the adult phase. I enjoy being smaller ones and growing them out.
Vegetable based foods are ideal. Wafers, cucumber, zucchini, and other veggies work.
One of my favorite plecos!

Thanks very much for your insight! I was actually pretty excited at the size of these fish and knowing it's at least close to adulthood seems like a bonus for me. What is the ideal pH in your experience with these fish?

 

[AquaAlex1993]

I want to feed my pleco vegetables; I tried putting in an algae pellet for him but he didn't go after it (maybe it was the time of day). How should I: 1) prepare the vegetable, and 2) make it sink to the bottom, in a way that won't harm my fish?

All you have to do is cut the piece of vegetable and I use a seaweed clip from my saltwater tank to hold it in place. The pleco will eventually learn to climb on and start sucking/eating the veggies.

 

[AG458]

All you have to do is cut the piece of vegetable and I use a seaweed clip from my saltwater tank to hold it in place. The pleco will eventually learn to climb on and start sucking/eating the veggies.

Ok. Thank you!

 

[Ryan029]

I want to feed my pleco vegetables; I tried putting in an algae pellet for him but he didn't go after it (maybe it was the time of day). How should I: 1) prepare the vegetable, and 2) make it sink to the bottom, in a way that won't harm my fish?

So here is how I've done it successfully with my pleco's. I do this method with zuchini, cucumber, and romaine lettus mostly. You need four things, little plastic suction cups (I buy them from petsmart, the ones for air hose tubing), some fishing line,a fishing spinner/swivel, and some plastic zip ties. I'll attach photo's. Basically tie a short length of fishing line from the suction cup to the swivel and run the zip tie through both the swivel and veggie. I typically will also nuke my veggies in the microwave for like 10-15 seconds and it softens them up a bit. Also will stuff them with waffers or any other pleco food you want them to eat.

 

[BIG-G]

I just rubber band a zucchini slice to a rock and place it near the cave mine likes to hang out in.
I have seen a lot of people just stick a fork through a piece and drop it in the tank. Mine also likes yellow squash, pumpkin,and sweet potatoes. Green beans and I also place a nori sheet in the tank every once in a while. You will see the algae sheets marketed for aquariums but the nori in the Asian food section of your market made for sushi is better and cheaper.