Species Profile
Sailfin Pleco
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
Plecospeaceful
Adult size
18″
Minimum tank
125 gal
Temperature
73–82°F
pH
6.5–7.5
Schooling
Solitary OK
Water level
bottom
Grows from juvenile
Typically sold at ~3″ and reaches 18″ over ~3 years. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.Diet
Algae wafers, veggies, sinking pellets, driftwood
Notes
Spectacular tall dorsal fin in the same family as the common pleco, with similar 18″ adult size. Outgrows nearly all home tanks. Beautiful in public-aquarium-sized setups but a difficult fit for hobbyists.
Photo: User:Ark pl wiki / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-3.0