Breeding Leopard Pleco (Pterygoplichthys Gibbiceps) In The Aquarium

Location

Large groups of the fish live in Amazon and Orinoco tributaries with a lot of plants.

Body description

This is a very big fish and it grows fast. Colour of the body is light. There are dark-brown dots on the sides of the fish. These spots create a speckled pattern. The coloration becomes more intense with age. This species has a large caudal fin with 12-13 rays. The first ray is equal to the length of the head. The anal fin is small and has 5 rays. The pelvic and pectoral fins are triangular. They are placed one behind the other. The fish has protruding nostrils on the head.

Temperament and behaviour

This is peaceful fish but in too small tanks may be more aggressive towards other bottom feeding species. It usually is active at night or during the day in a tank with dimmed light. This is very fast-moving species. It can suck up to body of a larger and slow-moving fish. This is strong species which quickly adjusts to the new conditions of the environment. You must cover the tank so your fish do not jump out .

Aquarium decoration

This fish likes a specious tanks with a lot of plants and hiding-places. The fish can nibble and damage plants when they are bigger or when they are hungry. You need an effective filtration system because fish has very fast metabolism. This species eats plant food e.g. an algae, blanched vegetables. A holes in the membranes of the fins are the result of disease, stress, poor water conditions or accumulation of nitrates.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. We do not have any information about breeding these fish in the aquarium. It is imported fish. This fish lays eggs in holes or tunnels dug on the bank of the river.