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Species profile

Wolverine Plecostomus L017

Hopliancistrus wolverine

Common names: Wolverine Plecostomus L017, L017

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 15 cm

Typical adult length 11.2–15 cm.

Up to 15 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • Mature planted aquarium setups
  • Advanced shrimp keepers

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
  • The tank is newly cycled
  • Water conditions change frequently

Wolverine Plecostomus L017 is a South American loricariid represented by L017. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

An armoured South American loricariid currently identified as Hopliancistrus wolverine. Colour, spot size, bands, fin markings, and body proportions separate similar L-number forms.

Use the L-number identification L017 together with the current assignment Hopliancistrus wolverine. Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males usually develop a broader head and stronger cheek or pectoral odontodes. Females are generally fuller through the abdomen when carrying eggs.

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
Lightly planted
Hiding places
Yes
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Provide at least 100 litres and a tank length of about 80 cm or more. Use strong biological filtration, high gas exchange, stable hardscape, multiple caves, and clear feeding areas. Prevent waste from accumulating beneath wood and rocks.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Primarily nocturnal or crepuscular and closely associated with caves, rock, wood, and the substrate.

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 fish with matching temperature and current needs. Avoid crowding territorial plecos into the same floor area, and do not combine large predatory forms with small or delicate bottom dwellers.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
25–30 °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
Carnivore, Insectivore, Omnivore
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.

A protein-oriented omnivore or predator requiring aquatic animal foods and a balanced sinking 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
27.5 °C
Breeding pH
6.5
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.

A paternal cave spawner. The female deposits adhesive eggs in a tight shelter, after which the male guards and fans the clutch and yolk-sac fry. Successful breeding requires a correctly sized cave, clean oxygen-rich water, and compatible adults.

Habitat and Origin

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

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Hopliancistrus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
Hopliancistrus sp. (L017), Historic L-number designation retained for identification.

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Xikrin Plecostomus L171

Hopliancistrus xikrin

Care level
Advanced
Adult size
11.2–15 cm
Minimum tank
100 litres
Temperature
25–30 °C

Xingu Sailfin Plecostomus L083

Pterygoplichthys xinguensis

Care level
Specialist
Adult size
25–37.5 cm
Minimum tank
450 litres
Temperature
24–30 °C

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