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Golden Vampire Pleco

Leporacanthicus heterodon

The Golden Vampire Pleco inhabits turbulent rapids in Brazil's Xingu River. It demands a formidable current and multiple ceramic caves or smooth rocky crevices in a large, highly oxygenated tank.

Taxonomy

Class:Actinopteri

Order:Siluriformes

Family:Loricariidae

Subfamily:Hypostominae

Genus:Leporacanthicus

Species:Leporacanthicus heterodon

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Water Temperature

25 - 30 °C

pH Value

6 - 7.4

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Bottom

Adult size

16 cm

Minimum tank volume

>= 250 L

Minimum group

>= 1

2 - 12 dGH

2 - 10 dKH

TDS

50 - 280 ppm

Conductivity

78 - 438 uS/cm

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Xingu River basin in Brazil (cataloged as L172a). Inhabits turbulent rapids, irregular rocky bottoms, and extensive crevices immersed in strong currents, in hot and super-oxygenated Amazonian environments.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Golden Vampire Pleco (L172a / Leporacanthicus heterodon). It owes its unsettling name to the conspicuous and huge "teeth" positioned on the upper jaw. The snout is very elongated (differentiating it from Pseudacanthicus).

Social Behavior: Moderately aggressive and nocturnal species. Guards its daytime territory (a hollow log or a cave) by abruptly driving away intruders. If hosting multiple specimens, broken sight lines and abundant caves are imperative.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Breathtaking livery. Dark body studded with dense bright yellow / intense golden ("Golden") polka dots. Males possess a stockier and flattened head, with evident thickened odontodes (dermal spines) on the body and pectoral fins.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Aquarium Setup: Minimum 120-150 cm (48-60 inches) tank. A formidable current and multiple ceramic caves or crevices built by stacking solid fixed smooth rocks are indispensable. Avoid sharp gravel.

Diet and Feeding: Strictly Carnivore. Uses its powerful "vampire teeth" to extract mollusks (snails) or crustaceans from their shells. Feed generously with mussel meat, shrimp, protein bottom tablets, and earthworms. It is not an algae eater.

Water Quality: Warm waters (25-30°C / 77-86°F) typical of the Xingu biotope. Strictly demands crystalline organic purity and very strong oxygenation. Poor water flows and accumulation of debris on the bottom will expose it to infections.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Rough with fellow bottom dwellers. Avoid coexistence with small Corydoras that could be bothered or injured. Ideal with robust mid-water Cichlids (Satanoperca, Geophagus) or large Characins (Metynnis).

Aquarium Breeding: Challenge for expert aquarists (spawning in closed caves). The male fiercely guards the entrance after trapping the female. Hatching requires abundant live foods (nauplii) to avoid fraternal cannibalism.

Risks and Diseases: Besides intolerance to nitrogenous pollution, it can easily get stuck in hollow ornaments and inadequate crevices, given the rigidity of its spiny armor. Design open layouts.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Xingu River basin in Brazil (cataloged as L172a). Inhabits turbulent rapids, irregular rocky bottoms, and extensive crevices immersed in strong currents, in hot and super-oxygenated Amazonian environments.

Origin

Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas

Fish profile

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Sex ratio: Flexible
Feeding frequency: Twice daily
Bioload: Leporacanthicus heterodon generates a high bioload. This is due to its size and diet. Strong filtration is required.
Flow: Stagnant
Reproduction: Oviparous
Compatibility & tankmates: It is peaceful with top-dwelling fish. It can be aggressive to other bottom dwellers. Keep it as the only pleco.
Tank level: Bottom

FishBase

Window to the official scientific data of the species

Data synced on: 06/15/2026

Scientific Parameters & Models

Resilience: Medium (1.4 - 4.4 years)
Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50): 0.5625
Bayesian Length-Weight: a = 0.01514, b = 2.99

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Three Beacon Pleco (L091)

Leporacanthicus triactis

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Origin

Fish profile

Scientific Parameters & Models

Image gallery

Related species

Variants and close relatives

Three Beacon Pleco (L091)

Sultan Pleco (L264)

Vampire Pleco (L029)

Ghost Pleco (L141/L215)

Orange-fin Xingu Pleco (L012/L013)

Para Pleco (L075)

Meandrinus Pleco

Snowball Pleco (L026)

Snowball Pleco (L142/LDA033)

Medusa Pleco (L034)

Green Phantom Pleco

Guahibo Pleco

Hi-Fin Green Phantom Pleco (L200)

Leopard Frog Pleco (L134)

Tapajós Royal Pleco (L027)

Big Spot Pleco (L075)

Recommended companions

Ammannia sp. 'Bonsai'

Bacopa sp. "Japan"

Bolbitis heteroclita

Alternanthera reineckii "rosaefolia minor"

Ammannia mauritiana

Arrowhead Anubias

Bucephalandra motleyana "Braun-rot" ("Serimbu")

Bucephalandra motleyana "Kapit"

Bucephalandra motleyana "Pancuraji"

Bucephalandra sp. "Bukit Kelam / Sintang"

Bucephalandra sp. "Melawi"

Bucephalandra motleyana "Braun-rot narrow"

Bucephalandra motleyana "Riam Macam"

Bucephalandra sp. "Black Leaf"

Bucephalandra pygmaea "Bukit Kelam / Sintang"

Bucephalandra pygmaea "Kapit"

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