Sailfin Pleco Care 101: Diet, Size, & More | 2024 Updated |

Sailfin Pleco is a freshwater fish that is native to South America. It is a member of the Loricariidae family of catfish and is also known as the Altum pleco, Giant pleco, or Zebra pleco. They are known for their ability to eat algae.

They have an attractive appearance, with long bodies and large fins. They are peaceful fish and make a great addition to any community aquarium.

Due to their size, much space is required to keep more than one Sailfin Pleco. They also need hiding places and plenty of places to graze on algae.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about Sailfin Plecos, including their habitat, diet, tank mates, and more.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Sailfin Pleco: Species Summary

Scientific name:	Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
Common names:	Sailfin Pleco, Altum pleco, Giant pleco, Zebra pleco, Spotted Sailfin Pleco, Leopard Sailfin Pleco, Marbled Sailfin Pleco, Albino Sailfin Pleco
Family:	Loricariidae
Origin:	South America
Temperament:	Peaceful
Size:	14 - 19 inches
Lifespan:	15 - 20 years
Minimum tank size:	100 gallons
Water temperature:	74° - 86° F
Water hardness:	5 - 10 dKH
pH:	6.5 - 7.4
Water Type:	Freshwater
Activity level:	Moderate
Sociability:	Community fish
Compatibility:	Peaceful with other fish but territorial with the same species
Breeding:	Difficult
Care level:	Easy
Diet:	Omnivorous, algae eater

Sailfin Pleco: Habitat

As we mentioned before, Sailfin Plecos are native to South America. They can be found in the Amazon River basin, as well as in Peru, Brazil, and Colombia.

They inhabit slow-moving rivers and streams with a sandy bottoms. The water in their natural habitat is typically straightforward and has a neutral pH.

When choosing a home for your Sailfin Pleco, it is essential to recreate their natural habitat as closely as possible.

Sailfin Pleco: Appearance

The Sailfin Pleco is a fascinating fish with long bodies and large fins. They are dark brown or black, with white spots on their body and fins. Their large size and unique appearance make them popular with many aquarium hobbyists.

They have broad flat mouths and are modified to take large gulps of air above the water's surface if there is oxygen deficiency. Their body is covered in bony plates, which protect them from predators. When it comes to their body shape, they are similar to other plecos in the Loricariidae family.

Due to their size, Sailfin Plecos need a lot of space to move around. They also need hiding places and plenty of places to graze on algae. Depending on the size of your aquarium, you may need to provide them with a separate pleco cave or hiding place.

True to its name, the Sailfin Pleco has large fins for digging into the silt. The dorsal fin is long and used to steer the fish in the water. The pectoral fins are used for balance and stability.

Sailfin Pleco: Size & Growth Rate

The average Sailfin Pleco size is 14 to 19 inches long, though some individuals can grow even more significantly. They are one of the largest species of pleco.

They have a slow growth rate and can live up to 20 years in captivity.

Their size will depend on several factors, including diet, water conditions, and tank size.

Sailfin Pleco: Lifespan

The typical lifespan of a Sailfin Pleco is 15 to 20 years, though some individuals have been known to live for even longer.

Providing the best care is essential if you want your pleco to reach its full potential.

Sailfin Pleco: Behavior & Temperament

The behavior and temperament of the Sailfin Pleco are peaceful. They are an excellent addition to any community tank.

Sailfin Plecos are not nocturnal creatures but are most active at night. During the day, they will often hide in caves or under rocks. And because of this, it’s essential to provide them with a place to hide during the day. This can be a cave, a piece of driftwood, or a rock pile.

While they are peaceful fish, they can be territorial with other plecos. It’s best to keep them with other peaceful fish that are the same size or larger than them.

They will spend most of their time scavenging the bottom of the tank for food. This means they are not an excellent addition to a planted tank. So, if you have a planted tank, it’s best to avoid adding them.

Sailfin Pleco: Sexual Dimorphism

It can be difficult to tell male and female Sailfin Plecos apart, as they are similar. The best way to tell them apart is by looking at their reproductive organs.

Males have a small and thick organ called the papilla, which is used to deposit sperm into the female’s body. Females have less prominent papillae and lie flat with the body, which is used to store eggs.

The female has a round body compared to males. Females have large bodies than males.

Another way to tell them apart is by their behavior. Males are typically more aggressive than females and may fight with each other for the attention of a female.

Sailfin Pleco: Breeding

Breeding Sailfin Plecos in aquariums is difficult as they tend to breed in their natural habitat. They require a specific condition to breed. And also, it is tough to identify their gender.

The conditions required to breed Sailfin Pleco are challenging to replicate at home. Sailfin Pleco naturally needs very muddy water to breed, as they often bury themselves in the mud.

Sailfin Pleco: Food & Diet

Providing Sailfin Plecos with a high essential is essential for their overall health. It would help to remember a few things when feeding your fish.

It’s essential to feed them a variety of foods. This will help to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.

A good diet for Sailfin Plecos should include the following:

• Brine shrimp: These are a good source of protein.
• Algae wafers: These are a good source of fiber.
• Bloodworms: These are a good source of protein.

Some fruits and vegetables are excellent and a good addition to their diet.

These include:

• Zucchini
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Spinach
• Apples

Some owners like to mix things up by feeding their plecos live foods.

This can include:

• Mealworms: These are a good source of protein.
• Wax worms: These are a good source of fat.
• Crickets: These are a good source of protein.

If you decide to feed your pleco, it’s essential to only give them a few at a time. Overfeeding your pleco can lead to health problems and a dirty tank.

As a general rule of thumb, you should only feed them as much as they can eat in 2 minutes. It’s also important to remember that plecos are nocturnal creatures. This means they will be most active at night. It’s a good idea to feed them before you go to bed.

Sailfin Pleco: Diet Foods To Avoid

There are a few foods that you should avoid feeding your Sailfin Pleco.

These include:

• Tropical fish food: This can contain high levels of copper, which can be toxic to plecos.
• Live plants: Some plecos will eat live plants. Avoid adding plants to the tank if you don’t want your pleco to eat those plants.
• Insects: Some plecos will eat insects.

Sailfin Pleco: Care

Sailfin Pleco care is very similar to the care of other plecos. They are hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water conditions but prefer clean water with a neutral pH.

They are omnivorous and eat various foods, including algae, vegetables, and meat. Providing them with a well-rounded diet is important to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

They are large fish, so they need much space to swim and hide. They are generally peaceful fish but can be territorial with other plecos. It’s best to keep them with fish of a similar size.

When it comes to Sailfin Pleco care, there are a few things you need to know. Here are the essentials:

Sailfin Pleco: Tank Size

The recommended tank size for Sailfin Plecos is at least 100 gallons. This is due to their large size and the fact that they need a lot of space to swim and hide. Not only will it help them grow to their full potential, but it will also keep them healthy and happy.

While some aquarists keep them in smaller tanks, it’s not ideal and can lead to behavioral problems. If you want your pleco to thrive, providing them with a large tank is best.

If you want to keep them in a smaller tank, you can do so, but you should only keep one pleco per 50 gallons. This will give them enough space to swim and hide without being overcrowded.

When setting up your tank, it’s essential to provide them with plenty of hiding places. This can be achieved by adding rocks, driftwood, and plants.

Sailfin Pleco: Water Parameters

Sailfin Plecos are tolerant to a wide range of water conditions, but they prefer clean water. They are susceptible to ammonia and nitrites, so it’s important to keep the levels of these chemicals low in your tank.

The ideal water temperature range for Sailfin Plecos is 74° to 86° Fahrenheit (the middle of this range is ideal).

The ideal pH range for Sailfin Plecos is 6.5 to 7.4 (the middle range is ideal). The ideal water hardness range for Sailfin Plecos is 5 to 10 dKH.

The nice thing about Sailfin Plecos is that they are very adaptable fish. As long as the water conditions are within a specific range, they will do well.

While they tolerate a wide range of water conditions, it’s best to provide them with the ideal conditions whenever possible. The aquarium water should be well-filtered and well-aerated. This will help them stay healthy and happy.

Filtration

Since Sailfin Plecos are sensitive to ammonia and nitrites, it’s important to have a sound filtration system in your tank. This will help keep the water clean and free of these harmful chemicals.

When choosing a filter for your tank, it’s important to choose one powerful enough to filter all the water in your tank. The recommended flow rate for Sailfin Plecos is 10 times the volume of your tank. For example, if you have a 100-gallon tank, you should choose a filter with a flow rate of 1000 GPH.

Some recommended filters for Sailfin Plecos are:

• Canister filters (Eheim, Fluval): These filters are potent and can provide your pleco with the clean water they need.
• Hang-on-back filters (Aqueon, Aqua Clear): These filters are also potent and can provide your pleco with the clean water they need.
• Under gravel filters: These filters are not as powerful as canister or hang-on-back filters, but they are a good option if you’re on a budget.

It’s also a good idea to add an airstone to your tank. This will help give your pleco the oxygen they need to stay healthy and happy.

Heating

Sailfin Plecos prefer water between 74° to 86° Fahrenheit. If your home is kept at a comfortable temperature for you, the temperature in your home will likely be within this range.

If the temperature in your home is not within this range, you will need to add a heater to your tank. Choosing a heater that is the appropriate size for your tank is important.

Some recommended heaters for Sailfin Plecos are:

• Fluval E Series Heaters: These heaters are very reliable and accurate.
• Aqueon Aquarium Heaters: These heaters are also very reliable and accurate.
• Hydor ETH Inline Heaters: These heaters are a good option if you’re on a budget.

It’s also a good idea to add a thermometer to your tank. This will help you keep track of the temperature in your tank and ensure it stays within the ideal range.

Lighting

Sailfin Plecos does not require special lighting but prefers dimmer lighting. If you’re keeping live plants in your tank, you must provide them with a light source. This can be done with a regular fluorescent tube light or LED light.

Some recommended lights for Sailfin Plecos are:

• Fluval Aquasky LED: This bright light provides a natural daylight spectrum.
• Aquatic Life T5 HO Fluorescent: This light is also very bright and provides a natural daylight spectrum.
• Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus: This light is a good option if you’re on a budget.

Adding a light timer to your tank is also a good idea. This will help you keep the lighting in your tank on a consistent schedule.

CO2 Systems

Sailfin Plecos do not require a CO2 system, but if you’re keeping live plants in your tank, adding one is a good idea. This will help your plants grow and stay healthy.

Some recommended CO2 systems for Sailfin Plecos are:

• Fluval Pressurized CO2 Kit: This kit is straightforward and has everything you need to start.
• Aqua Medic Turbo Floor 1000 Multi Sl: This CO2 system is a good option if you’re on a budget.

Adding a CO2 controller to your tank is also a good idea. This will help you keep the CO2 levels in your tank at the ideal level.

Substrate

Sailfin Plecos prefer a substrate that is dark in color. This can be accomplished with either gravel or sand. If you choose to use sand, it’s important to choose fine-grained sand free of impurities.

Some recommended substrates for Sailfin Plecos are:

• Fluval Stratum: This substrate is very fine-grained and free of impurities.
• Hikari Cichlid Gold Sand: This substrate is also very fine-grained and impurities-free.

Adding some live plants to your tank is also a good idea. This will help provide your pleco with hiding places and oxygenate the water.

Some recommended plants for Sailfin Plecos are:

• Anubias: These plants are very hardy and can tolerate various conditions.
• Bolbitis: These plants are also very hardy and can tolerate various conditions.
• Java Fern: These plants are straightforward to care for and can tolerate many conditions.

Read Also: Java Moss Aquarium Plant: Plantation, Technique To Grow | 2023

Decorations

Sailfin Plecos prefer a tank decorated with rock caves and hiding places. This will help provide your pleco with places to hide and feel secure.

Some recommended decorations for Sailfin Plecos are:

• Fluval Stone Decorations: These realistic decorations provide plenty of hiding places.
• Zoo Med Rock Cave: This cave is realistic and provides plenty of hiding places.
• Fluval Plant and Driftwood roots: These roots are very realistic and provide plenty of hiding places.

Sailfin Pleco: Other Tank Accessories

You may want to add a few other things to your tank to make it more pleco friendly.

These include:

• Aquarium salt: This will help keep your pleco’s skin healthy.
• An algae eater: This will help keep your tank clean and algae-free.
• Phosphate remover: This will help keep your water quality high.
• pH Meter: This will help you keep track of the pH in your tank.
• Air Pump: This will help keep your water oxygenated.

Following these tips can create the perfect environment for your Sailfin Pleco.

Sailfin Pleco: Water Changes

It’s important to do regular water changes to keep your Sailfin Pleco healthy. Water changes also help to remove any build-up of toxins in the water. Doing a water change of at least 10% every week is a good idea.

When changing the water, it’s important to use dechlorinated water. This will help to keep your pleco safe from harmful chemicals.

After you have finished the water change, vacuuming the gravel to remove any debris is a good idea.

Sailfin Pleco: Cleaning The Tank

It’s essential to keep your Sailfin Pleco tank clean. A dirty tank can lead to health problems for your fish.

Cleaning the tank is a two-part process. First, you need to remove any physical debris from the tank. This can be done with a gravel vacuum or a net.

After you have removed the physical debris from the tank, you need to clean the glass. This can be done with a sponge or a scraper.

It’s also a good idea to clean your pleco’s decorations. This can be done by soaking them in water and vinegar.

Sailfin Pleco: Cleaning The Filter

It’s important to clean your filter regularly. A dirty filter can lead to health problems for your fish.

When cleaning your filter, be sure to remove all of the media. This includes the sponge, carbon, and Bio-Wheel.

After you have removed the media from your filter, rinse it in dechlorinated water. Be sure to do this gently so as not to damage the media.

Once you have rinsed the media, put it back in your filter and add new media.

Sailfin Pleco: Testing The Water

It’s important to test your water regularly. This will help you keep track of the quality of your water.

There are a few different things you need to test for:

• pH: It should be between 6.5 and 7.4.
• Ammonia: It should be 0 ppm.
• Nitrite: It should be 0 ppm.
• Nitrate: It should be less than 20 ppm.

If you notice any of these levels are high, it’s important to do a water change as soon as possible.

Sailfin Pleco: Common Possible Diseases

One good thing about Sailfin Plecos is that they are very hardy fish. However, there are a few diseases that they are susceptible to.

These include:

• Hole in the Head Disease: This disease is caused by poor nutrition and poor water quality. Symptoms include white spots on the head and body.

If you suspect your pleco has this disease, increasing the quality of your water and feeding them a high-quality diet is important.

• White Spot Disease: This disease is caused by parasites. Symptoms include white spots on the body.

If you suspect your pleco has this disease, treating them with a parasite treatment is important.

• Fin Rot: This disease is caused by bacteria. Symptoms include fraying or disintegration of the fins.

If you suspect your pleco has this disease, treating them with a bacteria treatment is important.

• Ich: This disease is caused by a parasite. Symptoms include white spots on the body.

If you suspect your pleco has this disease, treating them with a parasite treatment is important.

Sailfin Pleco: Preventing Disease

The best way to prevent disease is to maintain a clean and healthy environment for your Sailfin Pleco. This includes doing regular water changes and keeping the tank clean.

It’s also important to feed your pleco a high-quality diet. This will help to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.

Finally, it’s a good idea to quarantine new fish before adding them to your tank. This will help to prevent the spread of disease.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your Sailfin Pleco healthy and happy.

Sailfin Pleco: Treatment & Medications

If your pleco becomes sick, treating them as soon as possible is important. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to treat them.

There are a few different medications that can be used to treat plecos.

These include:

• Aquarium Salt: This can be used to treat a number of different diseases. It’s important to use the right amount of salt for your tank.
• MelaFix: This antibacterial treatment can be used to treat infections.
• Pimafix: This is an antifungal treatment that can be used to treat fungal infections.

If you’re unsure what medication to use, it’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian.

Sailfin Pleco: Tank Mates

Because of their mellow nature, Sailfin Plecos can be kept with various tank mates. They are an excellent addition to any community tank.

Some good tank mates for Sailfin Plecos include:

• Clown Loach
• Kuhli Loach
• Black Skirt Tetra
• Honey Gourami
• Bloodfin Tetra
• Silver Dollar Fish
• Sparkling Gourami
• Green Terror Cichlid 
• Pearl Gourami
• Congo Tetra

Many more species of fish can be kept with Sailfin Plecos. These are just a few of the more popular ones.

As far as their temperament goes, they are generally peaceful. However, they can become aggressive if they are not well cared for. This is usually seen in tanks that are too small or have poor water quality.

 As always, consider the size of your tank and the fish's temperament before adding them to your tank.

Sailfin Pleco: Fish To Avoid

There are a few fish that you should avoid keeping with Sailfin Plecos.

These include:

• Tiger Barb
• Red Tail Shark
• Bala Shark
• Clown Triggerfish
• Dwarf Gourami
• Rainbow Shark

These fish are known to be aggressive or territorial. They can cause stress to your pleco, leading to health problems. As always, make sure you do your research before adding any fish to your tank.

Advantages Of Having Sailfin Pleco In Your Tank

The first advantage of having Sailfin Plecos in your tank is that they are peaceful fish. This means they are a good addition to any community tank.

The second advantage is that they are great algae eaters. If you have a problem with algae in your tank, Sailfin Plecos can help to control it.

Another advantage is that they are good at scavenging for food. This means they can help to keep your tank clean.

Finally, Sailfin Plecos are relatively easy to care for. As long as you provide them with a good environment, they will thrive.

Disadvantages Of Having Sailfin Pleco In Your Tank

The first disadvantage of having Sailfin Plecos in your tank is that they can become aggressive if they are not well cared for. This is usually seen in tanks that are too small or have poor water quality.

The second disadvantage is that they are not an excellent addition to a planted tank. So, if you have a planted tank, you may want to avoid adding Sailfin Plecos.

The last disadvantage is that they are slow growers. This means they can take up to 2 years to reach their full size.

Conclusion

Now that you’re an expert on Sailfin Plecos, it’s time to decide if they are the right fish for you. If you have a peaceful community tank and are looking for a good algae eater, they might be an excellent addition to your tank. However, if you have a planted tank or want a fast-growing fish, you may want to look elsewhere.

Do you have Sailfin Plecos in your tank? What do you think of them? Let us know in the comments below!