{"product_id":"albino-sailfin-pleco-pterygoplichthys-gibbiceps","title":"Albino Sailfin Pleco | Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Albino Sailfin Pleco is a gentle giant, unfurling a magnificent tall, spotted dorsal fin like a sail. This pale golden form is a peaceful algae-grazer that grows to a serious 45cm, so it is strictly a fish for big tanks. Given the room it needs, it is a long-lived, hardy and impressive occupant that can live 15 to 20 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe species comes from the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, living among submerged wood and rocks in warm, flowing rivers where it rasps algae and biofilm from hard surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe albino form is a pale cream to golden-yellow, patterned with darker spots and blotches and lit by pinkish eyes. Its standout feature is the huge, high dorsal fin that gives the species its name, held erect like a sail when the fish is content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful toward unrelated tankmates and an excellent community fish for large aquaria. It can, however, be territorial toward other plecos and bottom-dwellers, so give each one its own space and caves. It largely ignores mid- and upper-water fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that leans heavily herbivorous. Provide algae wafers, sinking pellets and plenty of vegetable matter such as blanched zucchini, cucumber and spinach, with occasional protein from frozen foods. Include driftwood, as it rasps the wood and this aids its digestion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeeds a large tank with strong filtration, good oxygenation and steady flow, plus robust driftwood and rockwork. It produces a lot of waste, so stay on top of water changes. Not a fish to buy on impulse for its small starting size - it grows quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEssentially not bred in home aquariums. In the wild and on farms it spawns in burrows dug into riverbanks, conditions that are impractical to replicate in a tank, so commercial stock is pond-raised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePterygoplichthys gibbiceps\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlbino Sailfin Pleco (L083\/L165)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Amazon and Orinoco basins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to about 45cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-20 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial toward other plecos)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner (large-tank commitment)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (herbivore-leaning)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5-7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge community and cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWith caution (may eat or dislodge soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarger peaceful and semi-aggressive fish such as bigger tetras and barbs, rainbowfish, gouramis, larger cichlids and Silver Dollars. Fine with most fish it cannot fit in its mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther plecos in cramped quarters, and very small or delicate plants it may uproot. Not suited to small tanks at any life stage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232803733795,"sku":"BA9322","price":42.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232803766563,"sku":null,"price":47.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232803799331,"sku":"AA3849","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm)","offer_id":55351965745443,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Albino_Sailfin_Pleco_3cm_Pterygoplichthys_gibbiceps_f3330fe2-bac1-4f27-8974-3550fba3e861.jpg?v=1781699126","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/albino-sailfin-pleco-pterygoplichthys-gibbiceps","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}