Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Amazon Sailfin Pleco

Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Amazon Sailfin Pleco – It's but one of numerous species generally called the common pleco or "Amazon Salfin Pleco"[citation needed] by aquarists. It will grow to a maximum length of 42.3 centimetres (16.7 in) SL. Pterygoplichthys pardalis is sometimes mistaken with the Hypostomus plecostomus (another armored catfish called the "common plecostomus").

Photo copyright from aquariumdomain.com 

Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Amazon Sailfin Pleco

This fish may become more agressive, notably to other plecos. This is a very hardy fish yet, and is a good addition to larger tanks. When of a proper size is able to hold its own with most other fishes. It's usually considered as just an algae eater, but its diet should be supplimented with other foods, including green peas, romaine lettuce, parboiled zucchini, sweet potato, squash, and sinking pellets, while it eats algae quite effectively. 

Driftwood ought to be comprised in the tank. Plecos will often eat live plants in the tank. As this indicates, when purchasing a specimen, do not purchase fish with hollow stomachs the fish has not eaten recently, and will most likely not survive long following the trip home.

Questions are asked about keeping them with Goldfish, but the principal worry here is that the "Pleco" will attempt to suck the slime coatings of the goldfishes body leading to impending disease problems. Better to place the smaller common Ancistrus species should you want an algae cleanser.

Identification

Pterygoplichthys could be recognized by the number of rays in the dorsal fin. More than 10 signals that it is a Pterygoplichthys. Most other plecos have 8 or fewer beams (in particular the bigger Hypostomus species that are most inclined to be confused with Pterygoplichthys).

Is also L023. A relatively nondescript species that's not likely to be imported as an L number. This is currently the most often available loricariid as commercial fish farms breed in enormous amounts them and might be discovered for sale in nearly all the larger chain-type pet stores.

Feeding

In their natural habitat, this species feeds on algae, aquatic weeds and other plant matter and small crustaceans. Will eat mainly vegetable fare in the aquarium but will also eat pellet and pill foods.

Geometric pattern on the head and leopard -like, dark spots of variable size's on the abdomen region.

Peaceful on their own but will be territorial with their own sort.

Sexing

The differences are shown by comparison of the genital papilla in mature fish in the sexes to the trained eye. In males this is a small yet thick stump which noticeably protrudes from the fish's undercarriage. In females it is recessed or lies flat with the body and is less clear.

Origin

P. pardalis is native to the Amazon River Basin of Brazil and Peru. Although generally a bottom-living fish, they have the capability to breathe air from the surface of the water during dry periods and those in which dissolved oxygen is too low

Reproduction & Spawning

Breeding of members in the family Loricariidae has been done fairly regularly. The aquarium should have clay pipes or tubes with a diameter that is reasonably large. The man will clean the site and will fan water over the eggs and fry. At a temperature of about 70f the eggs will hatch in about nine days. The fry will eat baby brine shrimp along with small flake food and algae scrapings. They're not the most easy to lift and a bare bottom tank is best.

Added info

The Common Pleco is often bought for its alga eating abilities, though it isn't as powerful in this respect as some other plecos. Overall, a good community fish if it is given enough room to grow and thrive in.