L200 Yellow phantom catfish - Hemiancistrus subviridis - 5-8 cm

The yellow phantom catfish Hemiancistrus subviridis L 200 is an armored catfish from Venezuela in South America. From time to time this catfish is also called green phantom catfish. This phantom catfish lives in its native country in river systems and mainly lives in rock crevices.
The coloration of this scaleless catfish is yellowish to greenish, with many bright spots covering the front body including the head. The fish is slightly darker in front, becoming more yellowish toward the rear. The fins are transparent yellow in color. The yellow phantom catfish reaches a body length of up to 25 cm. Sex differentiation is relatively easy based on the odontode growth on the gill covers and on the first ray of the pectoral fin - it is very dense in males.

The aquarium for the Yellow Phantom Catfish needs good filtration, a decent current and oxygen-rich, rather soft water. The aquarium temperature should be about 24-29 °C. These catfish are quite sensitive to nitrite and nitrate, so good water hygiene is a must. Otherwise the Yellow Phantom Catfish is a quite robust aquarium fish, which does not have big demands. Hemiancistrus subviridis is a rather territorial catfish, which can be kept very well alone or in pairs in an aquarium from 120 cm. In a group only in sufficiently large aquariums from 150 cm edge length with really many hiding places.

With other aquarium fish, also with other loricariid catfishes, there are no problems at all, against non-species the yellow phantom catfish behaves extremely peaceful and can assert itself also against larger co-inhabitants in the aquarium excellently. Perfect for the community tank, also shrimps, snails and other invertebrates are left alone. Socialization with large crayfish or crabs is not recommended.

The Green Phantom Catfish Hemiancistrus subviridis L 200 is rather nocturnal and likes to stay under roots or stones during the day, of which there should be enough in the aquarium. Also Catfish caves takes the beautiful ornamental fish gladly. It scrapes off roots with its suction mouth and thus gets the necessary fiber for a regular digestion. The substrate should preferably consist of sand or fine gravel, and the water should be colored slightly tea-colored with humic substances . Then the yellow phantom catfish feels really well. An edge length from 150 cm should be chosen as aquarium size for these catfish. Aquarium plants can be used conditionally, hard, robust varieties such as Anubias, Cryptocorynes and Javafarn are a good choice and tend not to be eaten.

The breeding of Hemiancistrus subviridis L 200 has been successful several times in the hobby. To get into spawning mood, the temperature should be raised to 27-20 °C. Plenty of oxygen and a very good current are helpful, as well as good food and many water changes with rather soft water, simulating the beginning of the rainy season. Hemiancistrus subviridis spawns in caves. The males do the brood care.

Hemiancistrus subviridis L 200 belong to the omnivores. Since the L 200 definitely lives bottom-oriented, sinking food should be chosen. In addition to special catfish food, the catfish is also happy about sinking live food such as shiny worms and tubifex or frozen food. Soft vegetables are also a good supplementary food. Very important are soft aquarium roots made of real wood, which the catfish can scrape off with their sucking mouths and which provide them with fiber for a functioning digestion.
 
Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all aufwuchs feeding sucking catfish in the aquarium is a balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic active ingredient complexes, which provide sucker catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.