Green Phantom Pleco (Hemiancistrus subviridis)
| Green Phantom Pleco Hemiancistrus subviridis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Green Phantom Pleco |
| Name Lat. | Hemiancistrus subviridis |
| Synonym | L200 |
| Family | Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Loricariidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Venezuela |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Omnivore, soft wood |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | Difficult |
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 15-20 cm |
| Temperature | 22-25 °C |
| Hardness | 2-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 6"-8" |
| Temperature | 72-77 °F |
| Hardness | 36-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Yellow Phantom Catfish is the Rio Orinoco with its tributaries around Minicia and Tamatama in Venezuela. They prefer to stay on vertical rocks and on round stones in the fast flowing water.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a robust border planting with stones, caves (catfish burrows) and roots, which provide hiding places and at the same time are part of the food. A substrate of sand and round-grained gravel, subdued light (floating plant cover) and a strong current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They feed on plant and animal food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for loricariid catfish (granules, pellets, chips, tablets), supplemented with algae leaves, soft wood and fresh vegetables, such as zucchini, broccoli, bruised peas, scalded spinach, as well as zoopankton, cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, shrimp, etc. (live or frozen)
Feed only as much as will be eaten within a few minutes, excluding plant foods. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
Yellow phantom catfish are shy, crepuscular and nocturnal animals. They sometimes behave very territorial within the species, therefore several animals should only be kept in large and richly structured tanks. They are very peaceful towards other fish and can be socialized well with them. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
Sexually mature males have outwardly elongated odontodes (pointed skin teeth) behind the gill cover and on the pectoral fin spines.
Reproduction and breeding
There are isolated reports of successful breeding in the aquarium. They are cave breeders and the male does the brood care. After 3-4 days the fry hatch and swim freely after 10-11 days
The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
They have a strong sucking mouth, with spoon-shaped teeth for scraping wood, and intestinal flora that allows the fish to digest the cellulose.
When fishing, use the finest mesh nets possible to prevent the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) from getting caught on the bone plates, which can cause painful puncture wounds when touched.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch; SEIDEL & EVERS (2005): Wels Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; WERNER, LECHNER, SCHMIDT (2005): MiniAtlas L-Welse, Bede Verlag
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF