Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are relatively placid when young but become territorial with age. They will fiercely defend their chosen hiding spot from intruders. Despite their size, they are not predatory toward smaller fish.

Diet

Omnivore

They are specialized xylivores that require hardwood to survive. They ingest wood shavings constantly to fuel their digestion. Fresh vegetables and sinking pellets should supplement this wood-based diet.

Sex ratio

Solitary

Due to their extreme territoriality, keeping a single specimen is best. Keeping multiple adults requires an exceptionally huge aquarium. Males are particularly intolerant of each other.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

Access to large pieces of driftwood must be continuous. Offer vegetables and wafers daily during the evening. Ensure uneaten fresh food is removed promptly.

Bioload

They generate a monumental bioload as they grow. Their continuous wood scraping results in extreme amounts of particulate waste. Heavy-duty canister filters are completely mandatory.

Flow

Stagnant

They demand very strong water flow to thrive. High oxygenation is an absolute requirement for this large species. Heavy flow also assists in sweeping away their massive waste output.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Breeding this giant species in home aquariums is virtually unheard of. They require massive water volumes and seasonal triggers. Most specimens in the trade are wild-caught.

Compatibility & tankmates

They ignore most mid-water and top-dwelling fish. They can become highly aggressive toward other large plecos. Tank mates must be large enough to tolerate their eventual massive size.

Tank level

Bottom

They are strictly confined to the bottom level. They will claim a specific piece of driftwood as their permanent home. You will never see them swimming in the upper water column.