AquaticRepublic.com - Hemiancistrus subviridis (Loricariidae) All Fishes

Habitat in background
Close-up of head
Close-up of dorsal fin
Ventral view
Close-up of mouth
B. demantoides right, H. subviridis, left
Female on right, male on left
Female
Male
Close-up of mouth
One to four day old fry
Five to nine day old fry
Eighteen day old fry
Ten week old juvenile
Juvenile fish, habitat in background
Habitat.
Xanthic form
Close-up of caudal fin

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.
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.
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) Login to view the 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.
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.
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 11 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Look up H. subviridis on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up H. subviridis on Fishbase
	Look up H. subviridis on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up H. subviridis on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.207.223
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)