All FishesLoricariidaeHypostominaeHemiancistrus  |  | 

Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Hemiancistrus subviridis  Werneke, Sabaj Pérez, Lujan & Armbruster, 2005
Common Names L200, Green Phantom Pleco
Gold-Yellow-Ancistrinae (Germany), Green Pleco, Grøn Fantomsugemalle (Denmark), Lemon Spotted Green Pleco
Type Locality 117 kilometers west of La Esmeralda, 03.28998°N, 066.60004°W, rio Orinoco, Amazonas, Venezuela.
Etymology Greek, hemi = the half. While the Greek, agkistron = hook, is thought to be the root of the term ancistrus, hemiancistrus can be taken to mean that these species have a part (not exactly HALF) of the features of the genus Ancistrus, but not ALL of the features. This specific epithet refers to its olive green colour in life.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 150mm or 5.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification The green colour form of this fish can only really be confused with Baryancistrus demantoides. The key to tell these two apart is that the dorsal fin and the adipose fin are connected in Baryancistrus species, and separated in the this species. Furthermore, have a look at the shape of the mouth. H. subviridis has a almost perfectly round mouth, while B. demantoides shows a more rectangular mouth.
Ranges in colouration from blueish green to yellowish green (which correlates to how far south on the Rio Orinoco the fish was collected). Head and body spots are variable within these colour forms. May be the same species as L128.
General Remarks DATZ matches Aqualog which features this fish in supplements 1 and 2.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: rio Orinoco and rio Casiquiare drainages in Venezuela.
Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco, Upper Orinoco, Ventuari (click on these areas to find other species found there)

Log in to view data on a map.
IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 6.0 - 7.8
Temperature 22.0-25.0°C or 71.6-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters This fish revels in fast flowing water.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding The fish is omnivorous and easy to feed. Although an effective algae eater, it should be given a varied diet of prepared foods. User data.
Furniture Lots of vertical stonework and rounded boulders. Bogwood and plants are not necessary. Water current should be at its strongest over cracks and crevices in the rocks where the fish will live.
Compatibility The challenge with this fish is to find fish that will live in such fast water. It will live in calmer water should you wish to keep this fish in a medium sized community setup. A good "starter" l-number.
Suggested Tankmates This fish is a good pleco for a community tank despite its natural habitat in rapids as it will adapt to less hectic water conditions. If you do want to try faster water, Semaprochilodus characins and silver dollars of various types are a good choice for mid-water companions.
Breeding Has been bred in the aquarium. A cave spawner, the male guards a clutch of approximately 40 eggs. Eggs hatch in 3-4 days, fry absorb their yolk sac and start feeding in 10-11 days.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Neotropical Ichthyology v. 3 (no. 4), pp 538, Figs. 1c, 4.
Registered Keepers There are 2 registered keepers, view all "my fish" data.
Wishlists Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list.
There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There are 10 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode
Look up PlanetCatfish.com Look up H. subviridis on PlanetCatfish.com
Look up on Fishbase Look up H. subviridis on Fishbase
Look up on Encyclopedia of Life Look up H. subviridis on Encyclopedia of Life
Look up on Global Biodiversity Information Facility Look up H. subviridis on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Hemiancistrus subviridis QR code LFS label creator
Last Update 2020 Oct 08 11:54 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)