Origin: This Plecostomus was caught in the streams and rivers in the Orinoco Rainforest, which is in northeastern South America.

Maximum Size: This Plecostomus can grow to be 7" long, including their tails.

Behaviors: They will usually move around pretty actively during the day, but some of them seem to hide during the day and become more active at night.

If there's food to be eaten, they'll become very active looking for it.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include various Silver Dollar species and Prochilodus, plus some Corydoras Dwarf Catfish. Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: They live well from about 78 to 82 degrees F., but they're probably most comfortable at about 78 degrees F.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: Premium Fish Food Flakes when very small and Premium Pellet Food when larger.

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Water Conditions: This Plecostomus seems to be tolerant of a wide range of water conditions. Probably a pH of about 6.5 with moderate hardness is best.

Most water in the US has a higher pH and is harder but seems to be OK, so it's probably best NOT to adjust the pH or the hardness of the water.

This species needs fresh water so make frequent partial water changes.

Here in our facilities the water is hard and the pH is usually about 7.8. We ship them in this water.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: It is probably best to house these fish in at least a 30-gallon tank, when they're less than 3" long, but a bigger aquarium is always better.

Allow at least 5-gallons of water for each Plecostomus under 3" long. They'll eat a huge amount of food and grow very fast. At about 3" they should be moved into a 60-gallon aquarium.

Decor: These Catfish do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Pieces of aquarium-safe driftwood are also nice.

Live Plants are beautiful and improve the water quality.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

A Penguin 350B Filter in an aquarium with 30-gallons of water is OK to start with a few of these Catfish that are less than 3" long.

At 3" long they should be moved into a 60-gallon aquarium with at least two Penguin 350B Filter. This Pleco needs lots of moving water and lots of oxygen.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: These Plecostomus can live for several years, probably many years provided they are fed premium food and kept in a large aquarium with very fresh water.

Gender: As they mature females presumably become plumper than males.

Breeding: These Plecostomus have been successfully bred in the aquarium hobby.

Popularity: This Plecostomus is not a common aquarium fish.

Names: The scientific name is Hemiancistrus sp. L128.

Variations: This Plecostomus lives across a wide range in northeastern South America, and one would think there may be variations.

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