Tricornis Plecostomus L212

A compact dark Hopliancistrus marked with pale spotting and strong horn-like cheek odontodes. Its heavily armoured head and pectoral region suit life among rocks in swift water.

Use the L-number identification L212 together with the current assignment Hopliancistrus tricornis. 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 on the cheeks and pectoral region. Females become fuller through the abdomen, while juveniles are difficult to sex.

Provide warm, clean and highly oxygenated water with brisk circulation, rock cover and several narrow caves or crevices. Strong filtration is needed to keep waste from collecting in the rockwork.

Usually secretive and territorial around shelter, particularly between males. It normally ignores peaceful midwater 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 calm current-tolerant companions and avoid crowding the bottom with aggressive cave-spawning plecos. Each adult needs a separate refuge.

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.

Offer a varied omnivorous diet with algae and vegetable-rich sinking foods, biofilm and regular small invertebrate foods. It should not be fed as a strict herbivore or carnivore.

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.

Captive cave spawning has been achieved. The male guards the clutch, while strong oxygenation, narrow shelters and clean water support eggs and fry.