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Species profile

Kelsorum Plane Plecostomus L189

Pseudolithoxus kelsorum

Common names: Kelsorum Plane Plecostomus L189, L189, Plane Plecostomus

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 12 cm

Typical adult length 9.6–12 cm.

Up to 12 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Venezuela

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced high-flow catfish keeper
  • A rock aquarium with abundant narrow shelters
  • An aquarist able to maintain very clean oxygen-rich water

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium may suffer oxygen drops
  • Bottom shelter is limited
  • You want a proven beginner breeding pleco

Kelsorum Plane Plecostomus L189 is a South American loricariid currently filed as Pseudolithoxus kelsorum. Adults reach approximately 12.0 cm. It requires stable, oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A small flattened plane pleco with a dark body marked by pale spotting or mottling. Its broad fins and low body are adapted to maintaining position on stone in rapid current.

This profile is identified by L189 and the current assignment Pseudolithoxus kelsorum. Do not merge it with a visually similar L-number without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males are expected to show a broader head and stronger cheek and pectoral odontodes. Females become fuller, but dependable sexing guidance is limited.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 360–450 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 100–125 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
90 litres
Minimum tank length
75 cm
Minimum group size
1
Recommended group size
3
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
High
Planting preference
Lightly planted
Hiding places
Yes
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Provide intense oxygenation, brisk current, clean rock surfaces and narrow crevices. Avoid warm stagnant water and any substrate that traps heavy organic waste.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Secretive and generally peaceful with midwater fish, though territorial toward similar bottom-dwelling plecos. It is most active in dim light.

Can be maintained in a small group when every adult has a separate cave and feeding area.

Males defend tight caves but serious conflict is limited when the aquarium provides abundant hardscape.

Choose peaceful current-loving fish and give every plane pleco a separate shelter. Avoid aggressive or bulky bottom competitors.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
24–29 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–12
KH
0–6
TDS
30–220
Stability importance
Critical

Maintain stable, clean, oxygen-rich freshwater. Strong filtration and gas exchange are essential because warm water, protein-rich feeding, and loricariid waste can reduce oxygen and impair water quality.

Parameter caveat
Acclimate slowly to changes in temperature and conductivity. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, control nitrate, and never allow caves or rockwork to create stagnant waste pockets.

Feeding

Diet types
Aufwuchs Grazer, Insectivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Fine carnivore or omnivore waferUse a sinking food that breaks into small particles on rock surfaces.
  • Frozen cyclops, daphnia, or insect larvaeSmall animal foods suit the compact mouth and natural foraging style.
  • Natural aufwuchs and biofilmMaintain mature stones and wood for continuous supplementary grazing.
  • Fine spirulina waferOffer as part of a mixed diet rather than as the sole food.

Feed a varied aufwuchs diet with quality sinking foods, some algae and vegetable matter and small invertebrate foods. Observe feeding carefully after import.

Feed after lights dim and place food near every occupied cave. Confirm that subordinate fish eat, and remove rich leftovers before they affect water quality.

Breeding

Breeding type
Cave Spawner, Egg Layer
Breeding difficulty
Specialist
Breeding temperature
27 °C
Breeding pH
6.5
Brood or egg count
Usually several dozen adhesive eggs deposited in a tight cave.
Incubation
7 days
Parental care
Paternal care
Baby foods
  • Mature biofilmContinuous grazing supports fry between targeted feeds.
  • Finely powdered sinking foodFeed tiny portions close to the breeding cave several times daily.
  • Newly hatched brine shrimpUseful supplementary protein once fry leave the cave and can take moving prey.

Reliable captive breeding information is scarce. It is likely a male-guarded crevice spawner, but repeatable methods should not be claimed as established.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
South America, Venezuela
Natural habitat
Fast-Flowing Stream, Freshwater River, Rocky Shoreline
Aquarium contexts
Breeding Tank, Freshwater Aquarium, High-Flow Aquarium, Species-Only Aquarium
Audience level
Advanced

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Pseudolithoxus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
Pseudolithoxus sp. (L189), Historic L-number designation retained as a common identifier.

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