L075, Para Pleco

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Orinoco and Ventuari river basin (Venezuela), and Essequibo river basin (Guyana). Inhabits sandy shallows strewn with round pebbles in large rivers with moderate flow.

Taxonomy and Morphology: L075 / L124 / L301 / Peckoltia sabaji (Ancistomus sabaji). Reaches considerable dimensions for the genus (up to 25 cm / 10 inches). Dorsal profile typically "humpbacked" behind the head and very massive caudal peduncle.

Social Behavior: Territorial and sometimes quarrelsome. Large adults demand proportionate caves and will not hesitate to injure conspecifics to guarantee themselves the best position with respect to the current exiting the filter.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Extraordinary "Leopard" livery: mustard-gold yellow body studded with large perfectly distinct black spots. Breeding males develop extensive odontodes similar to hard bristles along the sides of the body (almost like brushes).

Aquarium Setup: Capacious tank (at least 120-150 cm / 48-60 inches footprint). Essential setup to facilitate cleaning: smooth rocks massed to form impregnable ravines and large mangrove roots. The use of soft sand facilitates their attempts to excavate under the rocks.

Diet and Feeding: Predominantly carnivorous/omnivorous. Consumes large quantities of invertebrates in nature. In the aquarium provide chopped mussels, minced earthworm, high-protein bottom fish tablets, without neglecting occasional zucchini rounds.

Water Quality: Crystal clear and moving water is essential (simulate the rapid zones of Venezuelan rivers). Very high temperatures (25-30°C / 77-86°F) combined with a supplementary aeration system will prevent lethal summer hypoxias.

Compatibility and Tankmates: The ideal bottom companion for large Central/South American Cichlids (Uaru, Severums, Geophagus). Not compatible with other large territorial Loricariids (e.g. Pseudacanthicus) in tanks less than a meter and a half long.

Aquarium Reproduction: Rarely happens in the amateur sphere, typically triggered by massive cold water changes (which simulate the onset of rains in Venezuela). Spawning in large caves or tubes. Violent male care.

Risks and Diseases: It is not an "algae eater": confining it to a purely vegetarian diet will cause rapid organic decay. Submissive males can die in the tank from infected wounds caused by the dominant male.