Sunshine pleco - Scobinancistrus aureatus

Scientific name: Scobinancistrus aureatus

Common name: Sunshine pleco

Family: Loricariidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 20 - 25 cm (7.87 - 9.84 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6 - 7.2

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 0 - 30°N (0 - 535.71ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 24 - 28 °C (75.2 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and feeding

Sunshine pleco is carnivorous; its teeth can be seen. A diet of meaty foods like blood worms, shrimps, and tubifex should be given. It will also enjoy a meal of algae wafers and vegetable matter but not for the main diet. It will also graze on the algal coating on the tank plants.

Origin

Rio Xingu, Brazil.

Sexing

Males will grow larger than the females and may develop a spiny ridge on their leading pectoral fin

Breeding

As yet there are no reported cases of tank breeding.

Lifespan

Expected life span is 8-10 years.

Short description

Sunshine plecs can live as solitary specimens but if kept as a group there must be enough room for territories, hiding places need to be added to the tank. When first introduced to the tank, it may stay hidden in the daytime, but after a few weeks it will emerge. They are aggressive to their own kind and can inflict injuries with their teeth.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.