Other Names:
Portel Angelicus Pleco, L004, L005, L028, L073
Scientific Name:
Hypancistrus sp.
Range:
South America:
L004/L005: Rio Tocantins at Cametá, Brazil.
L028: Guamá by Ourém, Brazil.
L073: Portel at the Rio Do Pará, Pará, Brazil.
Maximum size:
15cm. (6")
Aquarium:
This small catfish-species prefers a dimly lit tank with a good number of hiding places, either created with plants, drift wood, rocks or artificial (pleco spawning) caves. To keep more than one specimen in the same tank, or together with other bottom dwelling fish, you need at least a 40x16" (100x40cm.) tank: this fish can be quite territorial, and when suitable hiding places are lacking, it can be aggressive towards other bottom dwellers. When kept as only catfish in an aquarium, a tank size of 32x14" (80x35cm.) is sufficient, but it is recommended to keep this species in a group in a species tank.
The Angelicus Pleco does best in warm, soft, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0-7,0), oxygen-rich water and a lot of currents. A powerful filter system is recommended, as this fish produces a lot of waste.
Temperature:
pH:
|
|
Diet:
A close look at the teeth of this pleco reveals that we are dealing with a carnivorous fish. The main diet should consist of meaty foods such as frozen foods (tubifex, mosquito larvae, blood worms, artemia), dry foods (freeze-dried foods, flakes, granules), carnivore sinking pellets, and occasionally some small pieces of shrimp, mussels or fish fillet. Once acclimatized, it will often also accept accepts vegetable matter such as algae/spirulina disks and fresh vegetables (lettuce, zucchini/courgette, eggplant/aubergine, capsicum, carrot, peas, preboiled spinach).
This species usually does not eat algae (it lacks suitable teeth for that task), so it's not a suitable fish to keep your tank free of algae.
Temperament:
When cramped for space and without enough hiding places, hostilities can break out, resulting in - sometimes severe - injuries. Despite that, the Angelicus Pleco is best kept in a small group, as it will show more natural behaviour and is more comfortable in when accompanied by a number of others of its own kind.
Because of its small maximum size, a relatively small tank is sufficient for a (breeding) group: a tank width a surface area of 80x40cm. (32x16") is enough to house a (breeding) group of 5-6 individuals: the division of sexes is ideal with one male for every 2-3 females. To get these fish to breed, you need a heavily oxygenated tank with a number of spawning caves, a powerhead that runs water along the cave entrances, and a temperature that is raised to 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit (28-30 degrees Celsius).
Notes:
The Angelicus Pleco has been given more than one L-number in the past, and until today it has not yet been researched wheter these are all geographical variants of the same species, or wheter they are seperate species.
L004 is a juvenile of L005, and L028 and L073 are as good as identical, but are found at different localities.
Fully grown (6" / 15cm.) mature male
Stress coloration
Stress coloration
