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Species profile

Red-fin Thresher Plecostomus L116

Aphanotorulus emarginatus

Common names: Red-fin Thresher Plecostomus, L116

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 40 cm

Up to 40 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Bolivia
  • See all stock from Brazil
  • See all stock from Peru

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs

Think carefully if

  • You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish

A big pleco that reaches about 40 cm, with red in the fins. Keep alone or in a small group in 243 litres or more.

Appearance and Identification

A big pleco that reaches about 40 cm, with red in the fins. It is often sold at under 10 cm, and it is not a good choice for a general community tank once grown.

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 970–1,220 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 250–375 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
243 litres
Minimum tank length
90 cm
Minimum group size
1
Recommended group size
1
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.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
25–28 °C
pH
6.4–7.2
GH
5–10
Stability importance
Important

Keep the pH steady, because this fish is sensitive to swings. Keep the temperature steady.

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 difficulty
Not commonly bred
Parental care
Unknown

Not commonly bred in aquariums, and little has been recorded about how it spawns.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, South America
Natural habitat
River
Aquarium contexts
Planted Aquarium
Audience level
Specialist

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Aphanotorulus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus

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Royal Plecostomus L190

Panaque nigrolineatus

Care level
Specialist
Adult size
33.8–45 cm
Minimum tank
600 litres
Temperature
24–29 °C

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