The fish list

Gold spot pleco

L001

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

Tocantins–Araguaia basin, Brazil · river

Temperature

24–28°C

pH

5.5–7.5

Adult size

12 in · 30 cm

Flow

Gentle

Swims

Bottom

Temperament

Peaceful

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Rarely

Typical price

$15–80

In Canada

Occasional

Rarity

Rare or hard to breed

A sailfin that grows to about 30 cm and makes a lot of waste. Big tanks only.

Photo: 5snake5, CC BY-SA 4.0

Red-fin cactus

L024

Pseudacanthicus pitanga

Rio Tocantins, Brazil · rapids

Temperature

26–30°C

pH

5.5–7.5

Adult size

16 in · 40 cm

Flow

Strong

Swims

Bottom

Temperament

Aggressive

Diet

Carnivore

Breeding

Rarely

Typical price

$130–400

In Canada

Rare

Rarity

Rare or hard to breed

Dark body with red fin edges. Large and aggressive.

Photo: B. Phalan, CC BY 4.0

Leopard cactus

L114

Pará, Brazil. Sources differ on the exact river. · rapids

Temperature

26–30°C

pH

5.5–7.5

Adult size

14 in · 35 cm

Flow

Strong

Swims

Bottom

Temperament

Aggressive

Diet

Carnivore

Breeding

Rarely

Typical price

$250–800

In Canada

Rare

Rarity

Rare or hard to breed

Cream with bold black spots and a spiny body. Grows to about 35 cm and is aggressive.

Photo: Whaldener Endo, CC0

Galaxy vampire

L029

Leporacanthicus galaxias

Rio Tocantins and nearby Pará rivers, Brazil · rapids

Temperature

26–30°C

pH

5.5–7.5

Adult size

10 in · 25 cm

Flow

Strong

Swims

Bottom

Temperament

Aggressive

Diet

Carnivore

Breeding

Hard

Typical price

$60–200

In Canada

Occasional

Rarity

Rare or hard to breed

The vampire pleco. Beautiful, but it gets large and bullies smaller plecos.