Heterodon Pleco (L172) Care Guide
Leporacanthicus heterodon (L172) is a loricariid catfish from the Xingu River basin of Brazil with characteristic enlarged teeth.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Leporacanthicus heterodon, known in the hobby as L172, is a suckermouth armoured catfish of the family Loricariidae. The genus Leporacanthicus is distinguished by large teeth in the upper jaw, usually with only two very long inner teeth on each premaxilla. The species was described by Isbrucker and Nijssen in 1989.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Leporacanthicus
- Scientific name: Leporacanthicus heterodon Isbrucker & Nijssen, 1989
- L-number: L172
Habitat
According to FishBase, Leporacanthicus heterodon occurs in the Xingu River basin of Brazil. Members of the genus typically occupy fast-flowing, well-oxygenated river sections with rocky or gravel substrates.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (about 106 gal)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Water flow: moderate
Diet
Leporacanthicus are carnivorous catfish that feed largely on invertebrate matter, including molluscs and crustaceans; the enlarged teeth are thought to help extract snails from their shells. In aquaria they are fed once daily on meaty foods such as frozen invertebrates.
Compatibility
This is a bottom-dwelling, largely nocturnal catfish that can show territorial behaviour towards other plecos. It tolerates peaceful mid-water companions such as tetras and Corydoras, but other aggressive or territorial plecos should be avoided. Driftwood and caves provide essential cover.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened, assessed in 2018 (FishBase).
Leporacanthicus heterodon (L172) Breeding Guide
Overview
Leporacanthicus heterodon (L172), the Golden Vampire Plec, comes from the Rio Xingu basin in Brazil, per Seriously Fish. It is part of a genus of cave-spawning plecos, but Seriously Fish states it has probably not been bred in the hobby. The guide is therefore intentionally conservative: confirmed husbandry facts plus genus-level breeding behaviour from the closely related, successfully bred Leporacanthicus joselimai.
Sexing
Seriously Fish reports that mature males have a noticeably longer and wider head than females when viewed from above, a bigger dorsal fin and more numerous odontodes (skin teeth).
Conditioning
This is a meat-eating loricariid, not a vegetarian. Seriously Fish notes it takes earthworms, prawns, mussels and bloodworm and relishes snails. Conditioning on such varied meaty foods, with good water flow and oxygenation, supports spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
Leporacanthicus are cave-spawners. For the related L264, Seriously Fish recommends snug caves and water of 25-27 °C, pH 6.0-7.5 and hardness around 2-15 °H; for L172 it lists 22-26 °C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 3-10 °H. Provide tight-fitting caves a male can defend, strong flow and clean water.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Spawning in Leporacanthicus is described by Seriously Fish as likely resembling Ancistrus but on a larger scale, with the male occupying a cave. Because L172 spawning is undocumented, no species-specific trigger can be stated; cooler, clean, well-oxygenated conditions and large soft-water changes are the general loricariid approach.
Egg & Fry Care
In Leporacanthicus the male tends the clutch inside the cave, as in other cave-spawning plecos. Detailed clutch sizes and timings for L172 are not available from the consulted sources, so figures are intentionally omitted rather than estimated.
Common Challenges
Seriously Fish notes L172 is territorial toward other bottom-dwelling species, especially those with similar colour patterns, which complicates keeping a compatible pair. The lack of confirmed captive spawnings means the species should be regarded as very difficult to breed.