Queen Arabesque Pleco L260 Care Guide
Hypancistrus furunculus (traded as L260, Queen Arabesque) is a small loricariid catfish from the Orinoco basin in Venezuela; a carnivorous cave-spawner.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hypancistrus furunculus is a small loricariid catfish described by Armbruster, Lujan and Taphorn in 2007. It is endemic to Venezuela, where it occurs in the Orinoco River, and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. In the aquarium trade it is sold under the L-number L260 and the name Queen Arabesque.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Hypancistrus
- Scientific name: Hypancistrus furunculus
- Described by: Armbruster, Lujan & Taphorn, 2007
- Trade designation: L260
Habitat
The species is a freshwater, bottom-dwelling catfish of the Orinoco River system in Venezuela. PlanetCatfish notes that the fish enjoy heavy currents and clean water; as with other Hypancistrus, driftwood and caves are appropriate furnishings.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-10 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
According to PlanetCatfish, L260 are carnivores rather than algae-eaters; they are conditioned with frozen foods such as cyclops and brine shrimp, with bloodworms offered roughly once a week. They are not reliant on algae.
Compatibility
A peaceful, bottom-dwelling species that PlanetCatfish describes as easy to add to an existing community as it needs little additional space. Suitable companions include peaceful midwater fishes such as tetras and corydoras; aggressive or strongly territorial plecos are best avoided.
Breeding
Hypancistrus furunculus is a cave-spawner. PlanetCatfish reports that it is not difficult to breed when provided with a tight, deep cave (about twice the length of the male), and that it spawns in ordinary tap water around pH 7.5-8 with frequent water changes.
Breeding Hypancistrus furunculus (L260)
Overview
Hypancistrus furunculus (L260), the queen arabesque pleco, is a small loricariid endemic to the Orinoco River in Venezuela, described by Armbruster, Lujan and Taphorn in 2007. FishBase lists it as a freshwater, demersal species rated Least Concern. Detailed spawning reports for this species are scarce, so the account below follows the documented breeding biology of the genus Hypancistrus, including its close relative H. inspector.
Sexing
In Hypancistrus, adult males develop more odontodes on the leading pectoral-fin rays and the interopercular region than females, and males are usually more slender when viewed from above.
Breeding Setup
Hypancistrus species occupy bedrock and crevices in slow to moderately flowing water and spawn in caves, so provide narrow caves or tubes. Strong water movement and high dissolved oxygen, as recommended for the genus, are advisable.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As cave spawners, the female deposits a clutch inside a narrow cave and the male is responsible for brood care, remaining to tend and defend the eggs.
Egg & Fry Care
The male guards the clutch within the cave through hatching, and the fry stay in or near the cave until their yolk reserves deplete before they become free-swimming. The fry accept small meaty foods once feeding, in keeping with the carnivorous-to-omnivorous diet of the genus.
Common Challenges
Hypancistrus species hybridise readily, so a single species should be kept in the breeding tank. Given the rocky-river origin, clean and well-oxygenated water with strong flow must be maintained throughout brood care.