Green Phantom Plecostomus
Hemiancistrus subviridis
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 304 litres
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Species profile
Golden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus Cirrhosus var. "Golden"
Common names: Golden Bristlenose Pleco, Albino Bristlenose Pleco, Catfish, Jumbie Teta
Colour varietyPlecostomus
Adult size
Up to 12.5 cm
Up to 12.5 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
Think carefully if
- You cannot keep up with regular water changes
A golden-yellow, red-eyed albino form of the common Bristlenose. Keep alone or in a small group in 54 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A golden-yellow, red-eyed albino form of the common Bristlenose. It stays at about 12 cm and is just as hardy, and males grow the same soft bristles on the snout.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Mature males are usually broader in the head, with more bristles on the body or snout.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 220–270 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 50–75 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 54 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 60 cm
- Minimum group size
- 2
- Recommended group size
- 2
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- High
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide wood and caves, plenty of oxygen and steady flow. Most are active at night and need places to hide during the day.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Mostly active after dark, spending the day in a cave or under wood.
Usually kept singly or in a small group, in a tank with one cave for each fish.
Males can defend caves against other bottom-dwellers.
A peaceful community fish, with others that like similar water. It may compete for caves with other bottom-dwellers.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Diet varies by species, from algae and wood to meaty foods. Feed sinking foods after lights-out.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Cave Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Spawns inside a cave, and one parent guards the eggs and young. Provide a suitable cave for each pair.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Argentina, Captive Bred, South America, Uruguay
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Beginner
Classification
- Profile type
- Colour variety
- Genus
- Ancistrus
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Species group
- Fish, Plecostomus
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Green Royal Plecostomus L418
Panaque titan
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 30–40 cm
- Minimum tank
- 600 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Hadrostomus Plecostomus L219
Baryancistrus hadrostomus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 18.8–25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 250 litres
- Temperature
- 26–31 °C