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Species profile

L431 Paralithoxus Plecostomus

Paralithoxus sp. (L431)

Common names: L431 Paralithoxus Plecostomus, L431

Undescribed speciesPlecostomus
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Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An advanced keeper with a mature high-flow aquarium
  • A rock setup with many separated crevices
  • An aquarist able to target-feed rare nocturnal fish

Think carefully if

  • Flow or oxygenation may be inconsistent
  • The bottom is crowded with territorial plecos
  • You want a proven easy breeding species

L431 Paralithoxus Plecostomus is a South American loricariid represented by L431. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

L431 is a very flattened plane pleco with a dark body, broad fins and subtle pale spotting or mottling. Its low profile is specialised for clinging to rock in fast-flowing water.

Use the L-number identification L431 together with the current assignment Paralithoxus sp. (L431). 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 are expected to develop stronger cheek and pectoral odontodes and a broader head. Females become fuller, but reliable form-specific sexing information is limited.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 360–450 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 100–125 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
90 litres
Minimum tank length
75 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

Provide intense oxygenation, brisk current, smooth rock surfaces and many narrow crevices. Strong filtration and careful removal of trapped waste are essential.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Secretive and generally peaceful toward midwater fish, but territorial with similar flattened plecos. It often feeds most confidently after lights dim.

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.

Use peaceful current-loving companions and avoid bulky or aggressive bottom fish. Every plane pleco requires a separate refuge.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
23–28 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–12
KH
0–6
TDS
30–220
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, 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 mixed diet with quality sinking foods, algae or vegetable matter and small invertebrate foods. Observe shy individuals to confirm feeding.

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; 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.

Reliable captive-breeding information for this coded form is limited. It is likely a male-guarded crevice spawner, but repeatable methods are not established.

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
Paralithoxus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus

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