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Species profile

L383 Pseudancistrus Plecostomus

Pseudancistrus sp. (L383)

Common names: L383 Pseudancistrus Plecostomus, L383

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 with a mature high-oxygen river aquarium
  • A rock-focused setup with several secure shelters
  • An aquarist able to preserve accurate L-number records

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium has weak oxygenation
  • Territorial bottom fish occupy every shelter
  • You want a proven beginner breeding species

L383 Pseudancistrus Plecostomus is a South American loricariid represented by L383. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

L383 is an unidentified Pseudancistrus with a robust flattened body and prominent cheek odontodes. Spotting, fin edging and body tone can vary, so provenance is more dependable than a guessed species name.

Use the L-number identification L383 together with the current assignment Pseudancistrus sp. (L383). 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 usually develop a broader head and much stronger odontodes on the cheeks and pectoral region. Females are generally fuller through the abdomen.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 600–750 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 150–225 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
150 litres
Minimum tank length
90 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 clean, well-oxygenated water with strong circulation, broad rock surfaces, shaded retreats and several secure caves or crevices. Avoid stagnant areas where waste collects.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Usually peaceful toward free-swimming fish but territorial around rock faces, caves and feeding areas. Adult males may challenge similar bottom fish.

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 peaceful river fish and avoid crowding the aquarium with similarly shaped territorial plecos. Every specimen should have a separate refuge.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
24–29 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–15
KH
0–7
TDS
30–250
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
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.

Base the diet on algae, biofilm and vegetable-rich sinking foods, with modest portions of small invertebrate foods. It should not be maintained on rich animal protein alone.

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
26.5 °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.

A male-guarded cave or crevice spawning pattern is expected for the genus, but reliable breeding details for this coded form are limited.

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
Pseudancistrus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus

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