Sailfin Pleco
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
The Sailfin Pleco is a large South American armored catfish known for its tall, sail-like dorsal fin and leopard/reticulated patterning over a dark body. It is a hardy algae grazer when young but quickly becomes a very large, heavy-bodied fish that produces significant waste and requires substantial filtration and space.
Sailfin Plecos exhibit a striking sail-like dorsal fin and dark brown to black body adorned with light spots and stripes.
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Quick Facts
Size
20 inches
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Difficulty
Intermediate
Min Tank Size
125 gallons
Lifespan
15-20 years
Origin
South America (primarily Amazon basin; Orinoco reports vary by source)
Diet
Omnivore with strong herbivorous tendency - algae wafers, vegetable matter (zucchini, spinach), sinking pellets, and occasional meaty foods
Water Parameters
23-28°C
6.5-7.8
4-20 dGH
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Calculate heater sizeCare Notes
- Plan for a very large aquarium (minimum 100+ gallons for an adult; 125 gallons is often recommended, larger is better) with strong filtration and high oxygenation, as Sailfin Plecos can reach ~18-20 in (45-50 cm) and produce heavy waste.
- Provide driftwood and multiple caves/hides plus open floor space; fine sand or smooth gravel helps protect the belly and barbels, and real wood is important for grazing and digestion.
- Keep water clean and stable: aim for 24-28°C (75-82°F), pH ~6.5-7.5, moderate hardness, and maintain nitrates as low as possible with weekly 30-50% water changes and robust mechanical/biological filtration.
- Feed primarily herbivorous foods (algae wafers, spirulina-based pellets, blanched zucchini/cucumber/green beans) and supplement with occasional protein (shrimp pellets, frozen foods) but avoid high-protein diets that can cause rapid growth and excess waste.
- They are generally peaceful but territorial toward other large plecos; keep singly unless the tank is very large with many hides, and choose sturdy tank mates that tolerate warm, well-oxygenated water (avoid slow, flat-bodied fish that might be rasped at night).
- Ensure décor is anchored-adult Sailfin Plecos are powerful and can uproot plants or topple hardscape; use hardy plants attached to wood/rock (Anubias, Java fern) or plant in protected areas.
- Watch for common issues like ich and bacterial infections after stress, fin/body abrasions from sharp décor, and "bloat/constipation" from poor diet; quarantine new fish, keep wood available, and vary vegetables to support gut health.
- Breeding is uncommon in home aquariums because they are cave/spawner burrowers that typically require very large ponds or dedicated setups; do not rely on them for algae control alone, as adults still need a complete diet.
Compatibility
Good Tankmates
- Large, peaceful to semi-aggressive community fish (e.g., silver dollars, larger rainbowfish) that won't fit in the pleco's mouth and can handle its size/bioload
- Robust, mid-to-large barbs and danios (e.g., tinfoil barbs, giant danios) that are fast enough to avoid harassment and tolerate strong filtration
- Medium-to-large, non-territorial catfish that occupy different niches (e.g., pictus catfish, Synodontis species) in appropriately sized tanks
- Loaches that are sturdy and not overly timid (e.g., clown loaches, yoyo loaches) with ample hiding spaces and similar warm freshwater parameters
- Larger livebearers (e.g., adult mollies, swordtails) when well-established, as they're less likely to be bullied than tiny nano fish
- Large, tough snails (e.g., mystery/apple snails, nerites) that can tolerate strong currents; provide hiding and ensure shells aren't easily accessible for rasping
Avoid
- Very small fish (nano tetras/rasboras, juvenile guppies) that may be stressed, outcompeted at feeding, or potentially eaten when the pleco is large
- Long-finned or slow-moving fish (e.g., fancy guppies, bettas, angelfish) that can be harassed or have fins/body mucus rasped at night
- Other large Pleco species or multiple large plecos in confined space (territorial clashes over caves/driftwood and heavy bioload)
- Highly aggressive, territorial cichlids (e.g., large Central/South American cichlids) that may attack the pleco's eyes/fins or compete heavily for territory
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