King Tiger Pleco L066 Care Guide
Hypancistrus sp. L066 is a black-and-yellow Rio Xingu loricariid pleco (linked to Hypancistrus seideli), a cave-dwelling carnivore for warm, clean, oxygen-rich water.
Overview
Hypancistrus sp. L066, known in the trade as the King Tiger Pleco, is a loricariid catfish from the Rio Xingu in Brazil with bold black-and-yellow tiger-like markings. On PlanetCatfish the L066 code (together with L333 and several other L-numbers) is catalogued under Hypancistrus seideli, although fish are still widely sold under the L-number. It requires driftwood, caves and clean, well-oxygenated water.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Hypancistrus
- Trade name: Hypancistrus sp. L066 (King Tiger Pleco)
- PlanetCatfish association: Hypancistrus seideli (L066 = L333 and related codes)
Habitat
The fish originates in the Rio Xingu, a clearwater Amazon tributary in Brazil. Hypancistrus in general inhabit bedrock and crevices in slow-to-moderate flow (Wikipedia). The Xingu King Tiger occupies rocky areas of warm, fast-moving, oxygen-rich water, sheltering in cracks and caves among the rocks.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-10 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Aquascape: driftwood and multiple snug caves, strong flow and high oxygenation
Diet
Unlike many plecos, Hypancistrus are carnivores rather than wood- or algae-eaters. L066 has little interest in algae and should be fed protein-rich sinking foods such as frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and carnivore pellets, with only small amounts of vegetable matter (PlanetCatfish). Feeding once daily suits an adult.
Compatibility
The species is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling, largely nocturnal catfish that mixes well with soft-water community fish such as tetras and Corydoras. Males are cave-territorial, so individual caves should be provided. Avoid keeping it with aggressive or strongly territorial plecos that would compete for the same shelters.
Breeding
Hypancistrus L066 is a cave spawner. A male takes a suitably sized cave, the female deposits eggs inside, and the male guards and fans the clutch until the fry are free-swimming. PlanetCatfish hosts a detailed account of captive spawning of the King Tiger Pleco; breeding is rated advanced.