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Species profile

Galaxy Vampire Plecostomus L294

Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias (L294)

Common names: Galaxy Vampire Plecostomus L294, L294

Undescribed speciesPlecostomus
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Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced keeper of predatory loricariids
  • A large cave-rich aquarium with strong filtration
  • An aquarist able to provide varied crustacean and mollusc foods

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium contains ornamental shrimp or snails
  • You want a peaceful mixed pleco collection
  • There is no way to separate fighting adults
  • You expect algae control

Galaxy Vampire Plecostomus L294 is a South American loricariid represented by L294. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A dark vampire pleco covered in contrasting pale galaxy-like spots. It has a broad head, strong cheek odontodes and prominent teeth suited to taking animal foods.

Use the L-number identification L294 together with the current assignment Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias (L294). Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features. The L-number remains the principal stable identifier because the form is undescribed or not conclusively assigned.

Mature males develop a broader head and stronger odontodes on the cheeks and pectoral area. Females become fuller through the abdomen, while juveniles are difficult to sex.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 1,000–1,250 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 250–375 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
250 litres
Minimum tank length
120 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

Use a spacious, warm and highly oxygenated aquarium with powerful filtration, rockwork and large secure caves. Provide enough separated territories for every adult.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Nocturnal, predatory and strongly territorial with similar loricariids. Adults may injure rivals during cave disputes.

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 midwater fish and avoid shrimp, snails, fry and timid bottom dwellers. Other plecos require exceptional space and immediate separation options.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
25–30 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–15
KH
0–7
TDS
40–250
Stability importance
Critical

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
Carnivore, Omnivore, Predator
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Quality carnivore sinking pelletUse a protein-rich sinking food near each shelter.
  • Frozen brine shrimp, mysis, or insect larvaeOffer varied aquatic animal foods.
  • Chopped mussel or prawnFeed clean small portions and remove remains promptly.
  • Soft omnivore waferProvides fibre and plant matter alongside the protein-rich staple.

Feed a carnivore-focused diet of quality sinking pellets, crustacean and mollusc foods, with limited plant matter. It is not an algae-control species.

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
27.5 °C
Breeding pH
6.5
Brood or egg count
Usually several dozen adhesive eggs; dependable species-specific fecundity data are unavailable.
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.

Leporacanthicus are male-guarded cave spawners, but dependable breeding information for L294 is limited. Pair aggression and strict water quality make it an advanced project.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
Natural habitat
Fast-Flowing Stream, Freshwater River, Rocky Shoreline
Aquarium contexts
Freshwater Aquarium, High-Flow Aquarium, Species-Only Aquarium
Audience level
Advanced

Classification

Profile type
Undescribed species
Genus
Leporacanthicus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
L294 listed under Hypostomus, The supplied grouping was corrected to Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias (L294).

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Gold Spot Plecostomus L001/L022

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus

Care level
Specialist
Adult size
25–40 cm
Minimum tank
450 litres
Temperature
24–29 °C

Golden Bristlenose Pleco

Ancistrus Cirrhosus var. "Golden"

Care level
Beginner
Adult size
12.5 cm
Minimum tank
54 litres
Temperature
21–26 °C

Green Phantom Plecostomus

Hemiancistrus subviridis

Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
15 cm
Minimum tank
304 litres
Temperature
26–30 °C

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