How many blue Plecos have you seen? There aren’t many of them, so the Blue Phantom Pleco, L128, is a real eye catcher! It’s not among the smallest l-numbers, so they should not be kept in too small tanks. Also, they will definitely chew on your Echinodorus plants. Then again, they are great algae eaters too, so they’ve got more than just colours to show for!

Facts:

Name: Hemiancistrus sp. L128

Trade names: Blue Phantom Pleco, L128

Origin: Puerto Ayacucho, Puerto Carreno, Rio Orinoco, Colombia & Venezuela

Maximum TL: 25 cm / 10”

A regular export from Colombia, this species is usually readily available during the collecting season. Not among the cheapest L-numbers, but desired due to its uniqueness. It has so far not been described, but clearly belong to the same genus as Hemiancistrus subviridis (L200) and Hemiancistrus sp. L476. These fish are herbivores that should be given additional protein-based foods as supplement, and they need warm, clean, well filtered and oxygen rich waters to thrive. Adult specimens gradually turn browner / darker in their colours. Males have longer, broader heads and more prominent odontodal growth. Breeding happens rarely, but in typical manner: The male guards the eggs in a suitable cave.

More info:

http://www.l-welse.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/140/cat/46 

http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=210

https://www.scotcat.com/loricariidae/hemiancistrus_sp_l128.htm

https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/10-catfishes/l-128-hemiancistrus-sp-or-ancistrinae-gen-sp