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Species profile

Tentacled Plecostomus L092/L194

Lasiancistrus tentaculatus

Common names: Tentacled Plecostomus L092/L194, L194, L092

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 15 cm

Typical adult length 11.2–15 cm.

Up to 15 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Colombia
  • See all stock from Venezuela

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • A mature river-style community with wood and rock
  • A keeper comfortable with uncommon Lasiancistrus
  • An aquarist able to provide protected feeding areas

Think carefully if

  • Bottom territories are already occupied
  • The aquarium has weak oxygenation
  • You expect a fully documented breeding project

Tentacled Plecostomus L092/L194 is a South American loricariid represented by L194, L092. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A mottled river pleco with a compact body, pale spotting and conspicuous tentacle-like cheek odontodes in mature males. Its camouflage suits wood and rock in flowing water.

Use the L-number identification L194, L092 together with the current assignment Lasiancistrus tentaculatus. Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males generally develop stronger cheek and snout odontodes and a broader head. Females remain smoother and become fuller through the abdomen, while juveniles are difficult to sex.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 400–500 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 100–150 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
100 litres
Minimum tank length
80 cm
Minimum group size
1
Recommended group size
3
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
High
Planting preference
Moderately planted
Hiding places
Yes
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Provide clean oxygenated water, wood, rock grazing surfaces and several close-fitting shelters. Moderate to strong current and a mature biofilm-rich aquarium suit its riverine habits.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Usually peaceful toward midwater fish but territorial around shelters and grazing surfaces. Males may become more defensive when ready to spawn.

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.

It can live with calm river fish if each bottom dweller has a separate retreat. Avoid aggressive plecos that can exclude it from food.

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Water Parameters

Temperature
23–28 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–15
KH
0–7
TDS
30–250
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, Insectivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Quality omnivore sinking waferUse a complete sinking food as the staple.
  • Frozen brine shrimp or insect larvaeOffer small portions for protein variety.
  • Natural biofilm and aufwuchsMaintain mature hardscape as supplementary grazing.
  • Vegetable-based waferProvides fibre and plant matter.

Feed an aufwuchs-based omnivorous diet with algae and vegetable-rich sinking foods, biofilm and regular small invertebrate foods.

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
6.5
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.

A male-guarded cave or crevice spawning pattern is expected, but dependable species-specific breeding details remain limited.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Amazon Basin, Colombia, South America, Venezuela
Natural habitat
Fast-Flowing Stream, Freshwater River, Rocky Shoreline
Aquarium contexts
Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, High-Flow Aquarium
Audience level
Intermediate

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Lasiancistrus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
L194/L092 listed under Hypostomus/Lasiancistrus, The supplied grouping was corrected to Lasiancistrus tentaculatus., Lasiancistrus sp. (L194), Historic L-number designation retained for identification., Lasiancistrus sp. (L092), Historic L-number designation retained for identification.

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Threadfin Plecostomus L060

Hypostomus nematopterus

Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
22.5–30 cm
Minimum tank
300 litres
Temperature
22–29 °C

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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