Other Names:
L091
Scientific Name:
Leporacanthicus triactis (Isbrücker, Nijssen & Nico, 1993)
Range:
South America: upper Orinoco, Rio Amazonas, Venezuela.
Maximum size:
25-30cm. (10-12").
Aquarium:
A tank with dimmed lights and a good amount of hiding places (plants, drift wood, rocks, artificial caves) is ideal for this beautifully patterned medium-sized catfish. A young specimen can temporarily be kept in a relatively small tank: when it's the only catfish in the tank, a 32x14" (80x35cm.) tank is enough, when kept with more bottom dwellers you need at least a 40x16" (100x40cm.) tank. Mature adults require a larger tank: at least 40x16" (100x40cm.) for a single specimen, and at least an 48x20" (120x50cm.) tank for a small group of these pleco's. This fish requires plenty of personal space, as they can be very territorial, especially towards its own kind and similar looking bottom dwellers, and with their sharp teeth they are capable of inflicting serious injuries.
The Three Beacon Pleco does best in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0-7.0), heavy oxygenation and a lot of currents. A powerful filtration system is required, as this fish produces a lot of waste due to its high-protein diet.
Temperature:
pH:
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Diet:
A close look at the teeth of this pleco reveals we're dealing with a carnivore. Meaty foods like shrimp, krill, mussels, pieces of fish, blood worms, mosquito larvae, sinking carnivore wafers etc. are readily accepted. Once acclimatized, this species will also eat algae/bottom dwellers tablets and possibly even fresh vegetables.
Temperament:
Just like many other pleco species overall relatively peaceful, although somewhat territorial. Can be aggressive to its own kind or similar-looking fish when the fish are living in cramped conditions.
Notes:
The puropse of the striking and unique "Beacons" on the tail, adipose and dorsal fin are somewhat of a mystery, but it is thought that male specimen use them to attract the attention of females from their caves. In the wild it has been observed how male fish keep their tail or entire back end of the body out of their hiding place: the water is often dark and murky, so the beacons may be some sort of visible aid to attact a mate (although that does not explain why females also have this feature).
"I can't see you, so you can't see me!"
With L020 Polka Dot Pleco
No flash
