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Species profile

L004/L005/L028 Hypancistrus

Hypancistrus sp. (L004)

Common names: L004/L005/L028 Hypancistrus, L004, L005, L028, L073, Hypancistrus Plecostomus

Undescribed speciesPlecostomus
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Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • A keeper experienced with cave-spawning Hypancistrus
  • A warm species aquarium with many narrow caves
  • An aquarist able to keep locality and L-number records

Think carefully if

  • You want an algae-eating cleanup fish
  • Different similar forms will be mixed without breeding control
  • Cave space or oxygenation is limited

L004/L005/L028 Hypancistrus is a South American loricariid currently filed as Hypancistrus sp. (L004). A dependable species-specific maximum adult size is not available, so the aquarium recommendation is deliberately conservative. It requires stable, oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A compact dark Hypancistrus covered with contrasting pale spots, commonly associated with the L004, L005 and L028 trade forms. Spot size and arrangement vary between localities and with growth.

This profile is identified by L004, L005, L028, L073 and the current assignment Hypancistrus sp. (L004). Do not merge it with a visually similar L-number without matching collection locality and diagnostic features. The L-number remains the primary stable identifier because the form has not been formally described.

Mature males develop broader heads and stronger cheek and pectoral odontodes. Females are fuller through the abdomen, but young fish are not reliably sexed.

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 warm, clean and highly oxygenated water, strong filtration, rock or wood cover and several tight caves. Keep locality records clear if different forms are maintained.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Mostly nocturnal and territorial around caves. It generally ignores peaceful midwater fish but adult males may fight over shelter.

Can be kept singly or in a managed breeding group if each adult has an appropriate cave and unobstructed feeding access.

Mature males defend caves and may trap or injure rivals when shelter is limited.

Suitable with calm warm-water companions. Avoid mixing similar Hypancistrus forms where accidental hybridisation or loss of provenance would matter.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
26–31 °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
Carnivore, Insectivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • High-quality carnivore sinking tabletUse a small protein-rich food delivered near each cave after lights dim.
  • Frozen brine shrimp, mysis, or insect larvaeOffer varied small animal foods several times each week.
  • Soft omnivore waferProvides fibre and plant matter alongside the protein-rich staple.
  • Natural biofilmMature hardscape supports supplementary grazing but does not replace deliberate feeding.

Feed a protein-rich omnivorous diet of quality sinking foods, crustacean and insect foods, with some vegetable matter. It is not an algae-control species.

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
Difficult
Breeding temperature
29 °C
Breeding pH
6.5
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.

Captive male-guarded cave spawning is achievable. Success depends on mature compatible fish, narrow caves, strong oxygenation and careful feeding of fry.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Amazon Basin, 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
Undescribed species
Genus
Hypancistrus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus

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