Skip to content
underwatergreen
Menu

Species profile

L173B Hypancistrus

Hypancistrus sp. (L173B)

Common names: L173B Hypancistrus, L173B, Hypancistrus Plecostomus

Undescribed speciesPlecostomus
Send Us A photo, be a contributor :)

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced Hypancistrus keeper
  • A dedicated breeding setup with many narrow caves
  • An aquarist able to preserve verified lineage records

Think carefully if

  • The fish's L-number or lineage cannot be verified
  • Similar zebra plecos will share the breeding tank
  • Fast bottom feeders will prevent targeted feeding

L173B Hypancistrus is a South American loricariid currently filed as Hypancistrus sp. (L173B). 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

L173B is a zebra-patterned Hypancistrus with pale cream to white bands or irregular lines over a dark body. Pattern quality varies between individuals, and accurate separation from related zebra forms depends on trustworthy lineage records.

This profile is identified by L173B and the current assignment Hypancistrus sp. (L173B). 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 odontodes on the cheeks, first pectoral rays and rear body. Females become fuller through the abdomen, while young fish remain 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

Provide warm, very clean and highly oxygenated water, strong filtration, shaded rockwork and several close-fitting caves. Keep the line separate from similar Hypancistrus if breeding is possible.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Usually shy and nocturnal, with adult males becoming territorial around caves. Timid fish can lose condition when kept with faster or more forceful bottom feeders.

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.

Use calm tank mates that do not compete heavily for caves or food. Similar zebra-patterned Hypancistrus should not be mixed casually because visual identification of offspring may be impossible.

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.

Offer a protein-oriented omnivorous diet with quality sinking foods, small crustaceans and insect-based foods, plus some plant matter. Confirm that every shy specimen feeds.

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 cave spawning is possible, with the male guarding the clutch. Breeding can require patience, and careful line records are essential because closely related zebra forms can hybridise.

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

Have you kept this species?

You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.

Share a note or photo

JPG, PNG, or WebP, up to 5 MB.

Plan it with our tools