Thunder Royal Plecostomus L027
Panaque armbrusteri
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 33.8–45 cm
- Minimum tank
- 600 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Species profile
Three Beacon Plecostomus L091
Leporacanthicus triactis
Common names: Three Beacon Plecostomus, L091
Recognized speciesPlecostomus
Adult size
Up to 24.5 cm
Up to 24.5 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish
A dark, pale-spotted pleco with orange in its fins, sold under names such as Dragon Fin or Tiger Fin. Keep alone or in a small group in 243 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A dark, pale-spotted pleco with orange in its fins, sold under names such as Dragon Fin or Tiger Fin. Mature males have a longer, wider head.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Mature males are usually broader in the head, with more bristles on the body or snout.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 970–1,220 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 250–375 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 243 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- High
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide wood and caves, plenty of oxygen and steady flow. Most are active at night and need places to hide during the day.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Mostly active after dark, spending the day in a cave or under wood.
Usually kept singly or in a small group, in a tank with one cave for each fish.
Males can defend caves against other bottom-dwellers.
A peaceful community fish, with others that like similar water. It may compete for caves with other bottom-dwellers.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Diet varies by species, from algae and wood to meaty foods. Feed sinking foods after lights-out.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Cave Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Spawns inside a cave, and one parent guards the eggs and young. Provide a suitable cave for each pair.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Colombia, South America, Venezuela
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Leporacanthicus
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Species group
- Fish, Plecostomus
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Tiger Dwarf Panaque L002/L074
Panaqolus sp. (L002)
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Minimum tank
- 90 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Tiger-striped Plane Plecostomus L257
Pseudolithoxus tigris
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 7.6–9.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 90 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Tocantins Plecostomus L086
Spectracanthicus tocantinensis
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 9–12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 90 litres
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C