fish · Loricariidae
Gibbiceps sailfin pleco
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
Wild range: Middle and upper Amazon and Orinoco basins (South America)
At a glance: Gibbiceps sailfin pleco care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Gibbiceps sailfin pleco?
The compiled profile lists 23.0–27.0 °C for Gibbiceps sailfin pleco (Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Gibbiceps sailfin pleco?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 100.0 US gallons (379.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Gibbiceps sailfin pleco?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 6.5–7.8. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Large armored sailfin loricariid of slow to moderate South American rivers and flooded plains in the Amazon and Orinoco systems. Facultative air-breather; nocturnal rasper/grazer on algae and aufwuchs, with opportunistic animal matter. Tall dorsal fin (≥10 rays) and leopard/honeycomb spotting distinguish trade “gibby / leopard sailfin” stock from Hypostomus common plecos.
Where they are found
Catalog primary locked as Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps (Kner, 1854) per inventory/trade lock, Eschmeyer Catalog of Fishes Current status Valid as Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps (Kner 1854), FishBase accepted name, and Planet Catfish. Authorship year is 1854 (Wikipedia’s 1858 is incorrect). ITIS still lists Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps as valid (TSN 639370) and Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps as invalid subsequent combination (TSN 164373) from a stale 2005 CoF snapshot — Glyptoperichthys is recorded here and in aliases as the older Weber combination, not adopted as primary (Scott naming rule 2026-09-24: keep established trade/CoF-current name). Synonyms: Ancistrus gibbiceps Kner 1854 (original); Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps (Kner 1854); Liposarcus altipinnis Günther 1864. L-numbers L083 / L165. TRADE WARNING: pet-store “sailfin / leopard / sailfin pleco” labels often confuse P. gibbiceps with Amazon sailfin P. pardalis (inventory slug amazon-sailfin-pleco, still missing) and with common-pleco Hypostomus plecostomus — count dorsal soft rays (≥10 = Pterygoplichthys; Hypostomus typically ~7) and check pattern (gibbiceps: irregular leopard/honeycomb spots on a yellowish-tan ground; pardalis: denser leopard spotting, often with vermiculate belly). Never release outdoors (invasive sailfin lookalikes).
Aquarium care
Plan a large, heavily filtered freshwater aquarium from day one — this is a 40–50 cm TL adult with a towering sailfin and a heavy bioload, not a nano algae eater. Locked minimum 100 US gallons (~379 L) for one adult (Fish Laboratory ≥100 gal; Fishkeeping World ideally 100 / at least 70; LiveAquaria lists 120 gal minimum and recommends ~125 gal — note the 120–125 floor in care planning; long footprint preferred over tall). Soft-to-medium water ~23–27°C, pH ~6.5–7.8, GH ~5–15 dGH (FishBase 23–27°C / pH 6.0–8.0 / dH 5–19; Planet Catfish 23–27°C / pH 6.5–7.8; LiveAquaria 74–79°F≈23–26°C / pH 6.5–7.4; Fishkeeping World 73–79°F / pH 6.5–7.5 / GH 9–20 — locked overlap 23–27°C, 6.5–7.8, 5–15 with FishBase hardness upper and FKW mid-hard preference noted). Provide sand or smooth gravel, large driftwood/caves/PVC for daytime retreats, strong filtration (oversized canister/sump), and good oxygenation; facultative air-breather but still needs clean water. Intermediate difficulty mainly due to size and waste, not fragility. Never release outdoors.
Feeding
Omnivore leaning herbivore/aufwuchs: wild diet includes algae (FishBase nocturnal algae feeder; Planet Catfish soft brown algae, lettuce/peas/spinach, prepared sinking foods, prawns/trout for large adults). In aquaria do not rely on tank algae alone — offer sinking algae wafers/rounds, blanched zucchini/cucumber/green beans, and occasional protein (bloodworms, shrimp pellets, gel foods). Feed after lights-out so nocturnal scrapers get their share. Underfed large Pterygoplichthys may rasp other fishes’ slime coats (Fish Laboratory; Aquarium Co-Op general large-pleco warning).
Compatibility
Generally peaceful community fish with similarly sized tankmates (LiveAquaria, Fishkeeping World, Planet Catfish). Territorial toward conspecifics and other large bottom-dwellers — keep one adult per typical tank or provide ample caves. Avoid tiny fish that fit in the mouth and very aggressive tankmates. Good with robust mid/upper swimmers (silver dollars, larger tetras, peaceful larger cichlids, clown loaches in big systems). Not for shrimp nano setups. Distinct from common-pleco (Hypostomus) and amazon-sailfin (P. pardalis) rows in this catalog.
Breeding
Egg-layers that in nature dig long tunnels (~1 m) into mud banks for nesting; male guards eggs (Planet Catfish, Wikipedia, LiveAquaria). Commercially farmed in tropical ponds, but intentional home breeding is very difficult without a super-size setup and a mud-bank wall. Sexual dimorphism subtle (genital papilla shape; females often slightly larger/rounder when gravid).
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.