The Spotted Sailfin Plecostomus is a great candidate for the large community aquarium. This is also a popular pleco for koi ponds in warmer climates. Considered one of the more attractive species of larger pleco, it boasts irregularly patterned gold spots over its chocolate-brown body. In the wild, the Spotted Sailfin Plecostomus naturally occur from the Tocantins River basin in Brazil, South America.

A larger, well-filtered aquarium of at least 70 gallons is recommended to properly house the Spotted Sailfin Plecostomus. It will get rather large in the aquarium, so provide plenty of room for it to move. Aquascaping with plants, rocks, and driftwood help mirror its natural environment and help give your Spotted Sailfin Plecostomus a sense of security. In the wild, this fish is an egg layer, but breeding in an aquarium setting has not been successful.

A useful herbivore in an aquarium or pond with algae, the Spotted Sailfin Plecostomus will keep algae under control. If no algae are present, supplement with algae wafers, herbivore preparations and fresh vegetables such as romaine lettuce and zucchini.