The vampire pleco is a common freshwater, or tropical, aquarium fish. These bottom dwellers will feed on just about anything and are ideal ‘janitors’ for your tank, keeping it clean and free from algae. Vampire plecos are one of the few plecos that are omnivores so it is important that you provide them with a good meat-based diet as well as plants.
These fish are a type of catfish and are found in the Brazilian state of Rio Tocantins. In the wild, these fish are found in fast-moving water and rapids so this means that these conditions must be replicated as well as possible when the fish are kept in captivity. But this is just one of many aspects of care that you will need to consider when adopting a vampire pleco.
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What Are Vampire Plecos?
The vampire pleco is not a difficult fish to identify. As a member of the catfish family, it has those distinctive fins and body shape like other members of this family. These fish are black with vibrant white spots and make an attractive pet. Although they can grow up to 10 inches, even when kept in captivity and may last up to 15 years, so they need plenty of space and a good commitment from their owners.
Despite their horrific name, vampire plecos are peaceful fish that glide around the aquarium without aggression or causing problems for other fish in the tank. That said, if another fish gives the vampire pleco any trouble, it won’t hesitate in reacting to this in defense.
One thing that you will notice is that these fish tend to come out at night owing to their nocturnal nature. During the day, they will typically hide among the plants and rocks remaining largely inactive.
What Tank Do I Need For A Vampire Pleco?
Housing your vampire pleco in the right conditions is vital if you want it to thrive. These fish can get pretty large so they need at least a 50-gallon tank. The size of the tank will naturally need to increase the more fish you place inside. While plecos do tend to get on well with other members of the tank community, they do require space to hide out in the day.
When setting up your tank, you must consider that the conditions need to be as close to nature as possible. Mimicking the waters of Rio Tocantins, where these fish are found in the wild, is imperative. The water here is temperate and fast flowing so having a decent current is essential. Maintain a moderate temperature since vampire plecos can quickly become uncomfortable if the temperature rises or falls too much. As a rule of thumb, you want to keep the water between 72ºf and 79ºf, and having a thermometer in the tank is the best way to keep tabs on this.
Furthermore, the water within the aquarium will need to be slightly more acidic. Typically speaking, you would need to have the pH of the water anywhere between 5.6 and 7. However, if other fish in the tank might find these conditions a little too harsh, your vampire pleco will tolerate neutral water, provided that it is well oxygenated.
We have already mentioned the need for places to hide out so when you are setting up your tank, be sure to include lots of rocks, caves, plants, and decorative items where you vampire pleco can take shelter during the day. If you intend to breed your vampire plecos then this is even more important as this hiding behavior may increase during mating season. Moreover, adding live plants to the water will ensure that there is a good consistent flow of oxygen which, as we have learned, is highly beneficial for the vampire pleco.
It is also worth keeping in mind that while the vampire pleco might be an incredibly beautiful fish, it is also one of the least clean species. In order to stay on top of the mess that these fish will undoubtedly create, it is crucial that you install a top-quality filtration system. In addition to this, you will need to change as much as 10% of the water each week. If you are taking on a vampire pleco, you will need to be ready to commit to its high level of care.
Since vampire plecos are bottom feeders, owners should be mindful about the substrate that they place at the bottom of the tank. Anything too hard or sharp could cause discomfort to, or even injure your vampire pleco. For this reason, we would always recommend using something like sand or very soft, fine gravel.
What Other Fish Can I Keep With A Vampire Pleco?
When you set up any aquarium, it is essential that you first think about the species of fish you will keep inside. For those just getting started, it is vital that we point out that you cannot simply throw any old bunch of fish in the tank and hope for the best. There is a delicate balance and some fish simply won’t get on with certain species.
The good thing about vampire plecos is that they will pretty much keep themselves to themselves, causing very few issues with their tank mates. The only time that they may become aggressive is if another fish attacks it. For this reason, there are certain species that will live more happily alongside these graceful, elegant fish.
Other species of catfish will live very well with vampire plecos as will things like guppies, gouramis, and cichlids. Furthermore, you can add angelfish, barbs, platies, and mollies without too many problems.
The key thing to keep in mind is that space is crucial. When living with other fish, vampire plecos, and their tank mates, will need plenty of room to swim around unhindered. Moreover, each fish will need to be able to find solace in a quiet corner when it needs a bit of time out. Depending on the size and breed of the other fish, you may need to get a rather substantial aquarium.
Vampire Pleco Diet – What Do They Eat?
In the wild, the vampire pleco is anything but a fussy eater. These fish are omnivores so will eat both plant and meat-based foods. Anything that you give to your pet will be well-received and it is rare that you will find any leftovers.
In terms of what vampire plecos eat, one of the best things you can offer is shrimp. This can be purchased at most good aquarium pet stores and there are further options, depending on your budget and preference, because as we said, your vampire pleco won’t be fussy.
It is possible to offer whole shrimp but if you are going to do this, you must ensure that you keep them small. While the vampire pleco is quite a large fish, it won’t handle too big mouthfuls. There are packets of shrimp that you can buy already chopped which is a great and more convenient option. There are also live shrimp which you can give to your pleco and this is great if you want to try to imitate the natural hunting instinct of the fish in the wild. Although some owners do not like the thought of offering live food and that is perfectly acceptable, frozen options are also available.
Most aquarium owners will have an ample supply of flakes or pellets and your vampire pleco will take very well to these dried foods. If you can get your hands on some dried bloodworms then these are a favorite of these fish but the key to feeding your vampire pleco is variety. That said, they do prefer meat to plants so do make sure that you get the ratio just right.
When they are in the wild, these animals have such a vast choice that it is important to afford them this versatility in their diet in captivity.
The problem with not doing this is that the vampire pleco may become bored with its diet and stop eating altogether. Of course, this can lead to health problems and eventually death if the issue is not rectified. Moreover, with a consistent diet, your vampire pleco will grow steadily and healthily.
Breeding Your Vampire Pleco – Is Breeding Easy?
There are some aquarium fish that are notoriously difficult to breed. For example, the black ghost knife fish is so hard to breathe that there are rumours that it has only ever happened successfully twice in captivity in Australia. By comparison, the vampire pleco is an easy fish to breed; if you have a male and a female, of course!
One of the first questions you will likely ask yourself when looking to breed your pets is ‘how to tell the difference between a male and a female vampire pleco.’ The good news is that it is pretty straightforward and you can start by looking at the coloring. The female vampire pleco is generally much duller than the male but this is not where the differences end.
Male vampire plecos tend to be much wider at the head and generally a little longer. Moreover, the odontodes along the body are typically more on the body and some are present on the head which isn’t as common in females. The female of the species also has much smaller dorsal fins than her male counterpart.
When breeding vampire plecos, it is no good only having one of each sex as this will not encourage breeding. In order to have a successful mating season, you will need to have at least four vampire plecos in the tank. The water temperature needs to be spot on and you must make sure that the water has a constant flow.
As mating begins, the vampire plecos will head into their hiding spots to breed. Caves and rocks are the best places for them, although if you don’t have these, they may make do with other hideouts. Wherever the mating will take place, it is essential that the water in this area is very well oxygenated.
If your plecos successfully breed, and they should do if the conditions are right, you can expect their eggs to hatch within around five to seven days. At this point, you will need to move the fry to a nursery to avoid other fish preying on them or becoming aggressive. During the first few days, they won’t need feeding as they will take the yolk from the egg sac as nourishment. However, after this, you can begin to offer small pieces of dried shrimp and flakes.
General Vampire Pleco Care
Keeping vampire plecos in your aquarium does require a reasonable level of care but not so much so that a beginner couldn’t handle it. Their requirements are pretty simple but you will need to be committed to providing daily care and being careful when handling the fish, should you ever need to.
If you need to remove the vampire plecos from the main aquarium then you should do this using a soft mesh net. The only time that you might need to do this is during mating season and if your fish is suffering with any health issues. Furthermore, when you change the tank water, you may need to remove the fish during this important maintenance.
While it can be tempting to touch your fish with your bare hands, this isn’t a good idea. Primarily, you may distress the animal which is not something that any responsible aquarium owner wants. But moreover, the vampire plec has a series of spines along the body which can be sharp and may cause an injury when touched. That said, your fish won’t be aggressive unless you handle them in the wrong way so when moving them from tank to tank, always be as gentle as possible.
FAQ’s On Vampire Plecos
How big do vampire plecos get?
Vampire plecos are not going to be the smallest fish in your tank. Typically, they will grow to around 10 inches at the most extreme end of the scale but in order for them to reach this size, they need to be well fed and well cared for.
How long do vampire plecos live?
Vampire plecos are not going to be the smallest fish in your tank. Typically, they will grow to around 10 inches at the most extreme end of the scale but in order for them to reach this size, they need to be well fed and well cared for.
Should I Feed My Pleco At Night?
Vampire plecos are nocturnal animals and so they will eat the majority of their food after dark. Of course, you won’t be awake through the night but adding food to the tank just before you hit the sack and turn out the light is the best idea.
Conclusion
The vampire pleco is a nice-looking and interesting fish to add to a freshwater aquarium. They are placid and peaceful and rarely cause problems with their tank mates. However, while they do have a very long lifespan, vampire plecos need a significant amount of care and water conditions that are just right.
