Sailfin Pleco (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps)

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A generally docile fish. When in search for food however they often uproot smaller plants. They get very large thus a large tank is required and it is recommended to supplement with algae tabs.

Kyle

I have a sailfin pleco and i thought he was shy but it turns out he is just nocternal if you put an alge pellet in the tank and he does not seem to go after them put one in one hour after you turn your light off he/she will definatly jump right on it. i know from experiance. iv had him/her for about 3 months and he as doubled in size right now he is about 6". Never think that the algae in your tank is enough for the pleco, unless he is very small (2" or less) he needs some sort of external form of food like alge pellots of or other formula food.

Philip

Wonderful plec for a large tank. They're big waste producers so cleaning up after this guy might be a chore. Well worth the work as they make outstanding looking specimens as adults.

Jen

I've had my Sailfin Pleco for just over a year and she's a beautiful creature. Currently she only shares her tank with an albino rainbow shark, and they get on fine. She keeps the tank immaculatley clean and eats all the extra tabs I give her, and the waste she makes goes straight to feeding my growing plants, so there's little cleaning doing on that front either. She's active all the time, and rather confident. Great fish!

Becky Leigh

My Sailfin Plec lives with my goldfish and comets and loves goldfish flake food. He swims upside down feeding on the flakes on the surface, this is amazing to watch!!!!

Paul Gomar

These are great fish but be prepared for the large size they can attain. They are often seen in aquatics shops looking for new homes as people are often charmed by them as babies but don't realise they can exceed 20 inches in lenghth. Due to their body structure they are not too flexible so plenty of room is needed to turn round. A tank under three foot is just not adequate. However these points do not detract from the fact that these are beautiful fish that are well worth the purchase if you have the space and will impress you with their superb fin displays and wonderful markings. These fish are not solely algae eaters, my three year old male fish is 16inches and will eat anything that hits the tank floor. This includes catfish pellets, peas, algae wafers, frozen prawns or muscles and his favourite is bloodworm. So be aware that though they will graze on the algae in your tank they will benefit from other food sources.

Stu Morse

I Have had my Sailfin Pleco for about 2 years and he is brilliant. People are allways so amazed when they see how much he has grown. I have kept mine with Black belts, doovies, green terriors, oscars and Barramundi so they make great tank mates.

Paul Wright

Gezza

My pleco is now 16inches and its tail has started to bend where it likes to stand upright sucking the walls. It gets scared very easily and especially at night, it swims and jumps headfirst out of the water scaring me! He has gotten used to me touching his back, which really helps when I move him, as he doesn't get as scared. He likes his own space and often pushed other fish out of the way, though whether this is done on purpose, or just happens because he is large is a mystery to me. He has recently started to float upside the filter which made my mum think he was dead the other morning. His colourings are beautiful especially on his underside which allows for great photo oppurtunities when he is sucking. He only eats about once a fortnight, feeding on plec tabs, and will sometimes eat the bloodworm I put in. I have had him for 3 years now and seemed to grow most in the first few months. He is still growing, and will soon be too big for my tank, so I will be on the lookout for a larger tank sometime soon. A great fish to keep, as long as you are prepared to accomodate for the larger fish.