Black Phantom

The L476 Black Phantom Pleco is a rarely imported species of Hemiancistrus known from the Rio Uapes and upper Negro in Colombia and Venezuela, where it tends to inhabit fast-moving, warm, acidic waters. With their high contrast pattern of dark body coloration and distinctive yellowish spots, this pleco is a large, attractive species for a suitably large aquarium. An omnivore, they will graze on algae but will also require a varied diet of sinking prepared foods, gel foods, and fresh vegetables like zucchini and squash. In the aquarium, they will do best in moderately soft, warm, well-oxygenated water with plenty of hiding places and moderate to strong current. This species requires excellent water quality to thrive so large frequent water changes should be considered necessary.