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Species profile

Threadfin Plecostomus L060

Hypostomus nematopterus

Common names: Threadfin Plecostomus L060, L060

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 30 cm

Typical adult length 22.5–30 cm.

Up to 30 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from French Guiana

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced keeper with a large heavily filtered aquarium
  • A display centred on one substantial pleco
  • An aquarist prepared for heavy adult waste

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium is sized only for a juvenile
  • Several large plecos must share limited floor space
  • You expect routine indoor breeding

Threadfin Plecostomus L060 is a South American loricariid represented by L060. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A large spotted or mottled Hypostomus distinguished by elongated thread-like extensions from the dorsal and caudal fins. These delicate filaments require open space and snag-free decor.

Use the L-number identification L060 together with the current assignment Hypostomus nematopterus. Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Sex differences are not reliably visible in young fish. Mature males may develop stronger odontodes and a more angular head, while females become fuller, but venting is more dependable.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 1,200–1,500 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 300–450 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
300 litres
Minimum tank length
120 cm
Minimum group size
1
Recommended group size
1
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
Moderate
Planting preference
Lightly planted
Hiding places
Yes
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Provide a large aquarium with powerful filtration, strong oxygenation, open floor space and sturdy cover that cannot snag its extended fin rays. Permanent housing should be chosen for the adult rather than the size of a juvenile.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Usually calm toward free-swimming fish but capable of dominating food and shelter on the bottom. Mature fish may become territorial with other large plecos.

Can be kept singly. A pair or group requires several appropriately sized caves and enough floor area for every adult to feed without being trapped.

Mature males commonly defend caves and favoured feeding areas from similarly shaped loricariids.

Keep with robust peaceful companions and avoid crowded loricariid collections. Provide separate shelters and monitor slow broad-bodied tank mates for unwanted rasping.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
22–29 °C
pH
6–8
GH
2–20
KH
1–10
TDS
50–350
Stability importance
Important

Maintain stable clean water with strong oxygenation. Warm water, protein-rich food, wood waste, and crowded hardscape can rapidly reduce oxygen and degrade water quality.

Parameter caveat
Acclimate slowly to temperature and conductivity changes. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, control nitrate, and inspect caves and rockwork for trapped waste.

Feeding

Diet types
Aufwuchs Grazer, Herbivore, Omnivore, Scavenger
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Natural aufwuchs and biofilmMaintain mature rocks and wood for continuous supplementary grazing.
  • Complete herbivore or algae waferUse a high-quality sinking staple with fibre.
  • Blanched leafy greens or courgetteOffer occasionally and remove leftovers.
  • Frozen daphnia or insect larvaeUse small portions as supplementary protein.

Offer a broad omnivorous diet containing vegetable-rich sinking foods, biofilm and measured invertebrate protein. Algae and leftovers are not a complete diet.

Feed after lights dim and distribute food near every occupied shelter. 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
25.5 °C
Breeding pH
7
Brood or egg count
Usually several dozen adhesive eggs, with clutch size depending on species and female size.
Incubation
7 days
Parental care
Paternal care
Baby foods
  • Mature biofilmProvides continuous grazing after fry leave the cave.
  • Fine powdered sinking foodFeed tiny portions close to shelter several times daily.
  • Newly hatched brine shrimpUse as supplementary protein once fry can take moving prey.

Reliable home-aquarium breeding information is limited. Large Hypostomus often use nesting sites that are difficult to reproduce in ordinary indoor aquariums.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Amazon Basin, French Guiana, South America
Natural habitat
Fast-Flowing Stream, Freshwater River, Freshwater Stream, Rocky Shoreline
Aquarium contexts
Freshwater Aquarium, Large Freshwater Aquarium
Audience level
Intermediate

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Hypostomus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
Hypostomus sp. (L060), Historic L-number designation retained for identification.

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Three Beacon Plecostomus L091

Leporacanthicus triactis

Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
24.5 cm
Minimum tank
243 litres
Temperature
24–27 °C

Thunder Royal Plecostomus L027

Panaque armbrusteri

Care level
Specialist
Adult size
33.8–45 cm
Minimum tank
600 litres
Temperature
24–29 °C

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