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L200 Green Phantom Pleco

L200 Green Phantom Pleco

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Hemiancistrus subviridis

Note: Due
to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image
provided.



































Synonyms



None



Distribution



Rio Orinoco, Venezuela.



Sexual Dimorphism



Mature males usually develop thick odontodes on
the cheeks and pectoral fins.



Maximum Size



22cm (8.7?)



Water Parameters



Soft, slightly acidic water is best long term.
pH: 6.0-7.2, dH: up to 12 degrees.



Temperature



24-28 deg C (75-82 deg F)



Compatibility



Softwater community



Lighting



No special requirements


 

Care

The Green Phantom Plec is a stunning bright green-yellow
suckermouth catfish, suitable for large, mature softwater aquaria. In the wild,
they are found in the cracks/interstices between granite rocks amongst fast
flowing waters. These fish therefore require decent current and a good level of
oxygenation within the home aquarium, particularly important when maintaining
these fish at the top of their preferred temperature range. Provide plenty of
rockwork and create numerous shady caves for the fish to hide amongst. Try to
ensure that the strongest areas of current flow through these hiding places, as
this would be where these fish reside in their natural environment. Bogwood is
not strictly necessary, although it may make the tank look more aesthetically
pleasing. Larger specimens will uproot plants, so if these are desired, opt for
robust species such as Anubias or Java Fern as these can be attached to the
d?cor. A powerful filtration system is recommended as these fish, like other
Loricariids, produce a lot of waste. Tankmates for the mid level of the tank
could include some of the medium sized characins e.g. silver dollars (Metynnis
sp.), Hyphessobrycon sp., Semaprochilodus sp. etc. If keeping more than one
Green Phantom Plec, or if keeping together with other Loricariid species,
ensure that the tank is spacious and that there is an abundance of visual
barriers amongst the d?cor, as these fish can be territorial. Loricariids found
to be living sympatrically with Hemiancistrus subviridis include Hypancistrus
contradens, L091 (Leporacanthicus triactis), L106 (Hemiancistrus guahiborum), L129
(Hypancistrus debilittera), L201 (Hypancistrus sp.), L239 (Baryancistrus
beggini), L240 (Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias), and L257 (Pseudolithoxus
tigris). Ensure that the fish have been rested after import and that they are
feeding well before purchase, as they can be sometimes be a little sensitive to
the shipping process. The body colour and size/distribution of the spots can
vary depending on collection location; the darker forms have been collected
from the northern part of the range, with the fish becoming progressively
lighter as the river wends its way south. At the very northernmost part of the
range, this species appears to be displaced by the Blue Phantom Plec L128. To
add to the confusion, another Green Phantom Plec (Baryancistrus demantoides), which
is also known as L200, is found at the confluence of the Rio Orinoco and Rio
Ventuari. H. subviridis lacks a connective membranous tissue between the dorsal
and adipose fins, whilst the dorsal and adipose are connected in B.
demantoides. The latter is also sometimes imported under the Hifin Green
Phantom nametag, as it sports a slightly larger, more shark-like dorsal fin.

 

Feeding

Omnivorous. Offer a variety of foodstuffs including sinking
catfish pellets/granules/tablets/algae wafers and frozen foods such as mosquito
larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped krill etc as well
as vegetable matter such as cucumber, courgette, blanched spinach, kale, etc.

 

Breeding

This cave-spawning species has been bred in the home
aquarium. Provide a selection of narrow caves constructed from the rockwork or
use PVC pipes/clay breeding tubes. The female will lay between 30 and 40 large
yellow eggs inside the cave, which the male fertilises and subsequently guards;
the female takes no further part in parental care. Expect the eggs to hatch
within 3-5 days (temperature dependent). The fry will gain nutrition by
absorbing their yolk sacs for the first week or so, and after that will require
appropriately sized sinking foods. It is important that high water quality is
maintained at all times. As the fry can be sensitive to bacteria amongst the
substrate, do ensure that no food is left to rot on the bottom.