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Species profile

Kinja Plane Plecostomus L385/L492

Pseudolithoxus kinja

Common names: Kinja Plane Plecostomus L385/L492, L385, L492, Plane Plecostomus

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 13 cm

Typical adult length 10.4–13 cm.

Up to 13 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An advanced keeper with a mature torrent-style aquarium
  • A species setup with many separated rock crevices
  • An aquarist willing to target-feed nocturnal fish

Think carefully if

  • Flow or oxygenation is marginal
  • The bottom is crowded with similar plecos
  • You need predictable breeding results

Kinja Plane Plecostomus L385/L492 is a South American loricariid currently filed as Pseudolithoxus kinja. Adults reach approximately 13.0 cm. It requires stable, oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A highly flattened plane pleco with a dark charcoal body and contrasting pale spots over the body and fins. Its low profile and broad pectoral fins reflect a life attached to rock in fast water.

This profile is identified by L385, L492 and the current assignment Pseudolithoxus kinja. Do not merge it with a visually similar L-number without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males are expected to develop a broader head and stronger cheek and pectoral odontodes. Females become fuller, though juveniles and non-breeding adults are difficult to sex.

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

Build a high-flow aquarium with exceptional oxygenation, smooth rock, tight crevices and strong filtration. Maintain clean surfaces without allowing food to decay in sheltered areas.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Mostly nocturnal and peaceful toward midwater fish, but territorial with similar rheophilic plecos. It may remain hidden unless feeding occurs under subdued 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.

Use peaceful current-tolerant companions and provide individual shelters. Do not crowd several plane plecos into one rock pile.

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.

Offer quality sinking foods containing aufwuchs, algae and invertebrate ingredients. Supplement with small crustacean foods and modest vegetable matter.

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.

Dependable aquarium breeding reports are limited. A male-guarded cave or crevice is likely, but breeding remains a specialist undertaking.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Brazil, South America
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. (L385), Pre-description L-number designation., Pseudolithoxus sp. (L492), Additional L-number assigned to the same recognised species.

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