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Species profile

Changae Rubberlip Plecostomus L334

Chaetostoma changae

Common names: Changae Rubberlip Plecostomus L334, L334

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 12 cm

Typical adult length 9–12 cm.

Up to 12 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Peru

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced keeper with a cool high-oxygen stream aquarium
  • A rock-focused setup allowed to grow natural biofilm
  • A community of peaceful current-loving fish

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium runs warm with weak circulation
  • Rock surfaces are kept completely sterile
  • You want a well-documented beginner breeding species

Changae Rubberlip Plecostomus L334 is a South American loricariid represented by L334. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A broad-headed rubberlip pleco with a flattened body, enlarged lips and subdued mottled or spotted markings suited to rocky stream beds. The body shape is built for holding position in current.

Use the L-number identification L334 together with the current assignment Chaetostoma changae. Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males generally develop a broader head and stronger odontodes around the cheeks and pectoral region. Females become fuller, but young fish are difficult to sex confidently.

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

Create a cool to moderately warm, fast-moving aquarium with very high oxygenation, smooth rock, open grazing surfaces and secure crevices. Warm stagnant water is a greater concern than a lack of decorative wood.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Usually peaceful toward midwater fish but territorial over rock faces and shelters. It may spend long periods attached to stones in the strongest flow.

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.

Choose current-loving peaceful fish and avoid slow warm-water species or aggressive bottom dwellers. Multiple rubberlips require separated grazing territories.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
18–25 °C
pH
6–7.8
GH
2–15
KH
1–8
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
Algae Grazer, Aufwuchs Grazer, Herbivore, Omnivore
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.

Feed algae, biofilm and vegetable-rich sinking foods, with small amounts of invertebrate food. A mature growth of aufwuchs is valuable, but visible algae alone is 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
21.5 °C
Breeding pH
6.9
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.

Specific aquarium breeding information is limited. A guarded crevice or cave is likely, but reliable spawning triggers and brood details are not well established.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Peru, South America
Natural habitat
Fast-Flowing Stream, Freshwater River, Rocky Shoreline
Aquarium contexts
Freshwater Aquarium, High-Flow Aquarium, Temperate Aquarium
Audience level
Advanced

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Chaetostoma
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
Chaetostoma sp. (L334), Historic L-number designation retained for identification.

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Clown Plecostomus L104/L162

Panaqolus maccus

Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
7.5–10 cm
Minimum tank
90 litres
Temperature
24–29 °C

Cochliodon Plecostomus L310

Hypostomus cochliodon

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

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