Super White Pleco L236

Geographic Origin and Biotope: The Treasure of the Rio Iriri. Captured for the first time in the rushing rapids of the Rio Iriri (the major tributary of the Xingu) in Brazil. The river, surrounded by the deep Amazon jungle, boasts dark rocky bottoms where the water flows violently at constant temperatures close to 29°C (84°F).

Taxonomy and Morphology: Precision Breeding. Although in nature the species shows variability (Basic line), European selective breeding (Willisch/Glaser line) has isolated the "Super White" variants, purifying the gene that makes the background incredibly white and forcing the black to reduce to isolated labyrinthine filaments. Armored body, dorsally positioned eyes and mouth suited to carnivorous suction and not wood scraping.

Social Behavior: Peaceful Cave Dominator. Exclusively nocturnal. Very discreet. Territoriality is limited to the fierce defense of its own terracotta tube against other conspecific males; the fights are pushes and wedges but never lethal. Absolutely tranquil towards any fish of the middle or upper level.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Snow and Ink. In the best specimens (Super White) the body is a blinding white, veined by black ink-like lines or irregular striations that almost never touch, creating a "negative" effect compared to normal tiger plecos. Adult males with showy odontodes on the cheeks, thickened first pectoral ray and very pointed cuneiform head compared to the plump round female.

Tank Setup: Demands "A Condominium of Dens" (Tank min. 80-100 cm / 30-40 in). Mandatory to insert a surplus of dens (1.5 dens for each loricariid present). The best dens are in dark ceramic or terracotta, closed at the back, as long as the animal's body. Water that must literally swirl to favor the roasting gaseous exchange at the surface.

Feeding and Diet: Exquisite Macro-Carnivore. COMPLETELY IGNORES WOOD AND ALGAE. Indispensable nocturnal administration of sinking salmon/Krill tablets, and frozen blocks of Mysis, red bloodworms and brine shrimp. Appreciates commercial feeds rich in premium fish meal.

Water Quality: Necessity of Purest Heat. Strict breeding temperature: 28-31°C (82-88°F). Extremely sensitive to the decline in water quality. Biological filters must be oversized and the water must be changed abundantly (40% weekly) taking care not to cause thermal stress (insert pre-heated water).

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Premium Community. Such an expensive and magnificent fish requires tankmates that do not inhibit it. Discus, Angelfish (Pterophyllum), large schools of neons or cardinals. AVOID: large scraping Loricariids (Panaque) that pollute the water too much and monopolize the largest caves.

Aquarium Reproduction: Cave Spawner. Challenge sought after by breeders. The male appropriates a narrow den and attracts the female with body jerks. After oviposition, the male manages the enormous yellow eggs alone for entire weeks in total fasting, expelling now self-sufficient larvae.

Risks and Diseases: Lethality from Wood/Vegetable Intestinal Blockage. The carnivorous digestive system of the Hypancistrus cannot handle large volumes of woody fibers or thick celluloses. Feeding only vegetables will cause fatal fermentative blockages and wasting (starvation).