Tiger Pleco – L397

The L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco is a remarkably rare and colourful species that is now available as a tank-bred specimen and is a very manageable species for the home aquarium!

The L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco (Panaqolus sp.) is an exceptionally colourful and rare loricariid (suckermouth catfish) species that has been successfully tank-bred. Its bright orange and black striping are very distinguishable and among the most striking colourations of the hundreds of known plecos. Like many plecos, the L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco has generally been a wild-caught species, but we are proud to offer tank-raised juveniles of this beautiful fish!

A generally peaceful and hardy species, the L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco is an excellent, undemanding candidate for most aquariums. Unlike the widely-seen Common Pleco and Sailfin Pleco, which easily reach a monstrous size of 40 to 51+ cm, the L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco grows to a maximum size of only around 12cm. This smaller size makes for a much more manageable (and less messy) pleco that can thrive permanently in a well-maintained aquarium as small as 120ltrs. Male plecos may be somewhat territorial with other males of their species, but disputes can usually be diffused by providing ample territory and hiding places for each fish. All other tankmates will be generally ignored, although it is possible that small shrimp fry might fall prey to the omnivorous L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco.

The L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco is primarily nocturnal, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and other hiding places. Like its larger cousins of the Panaque genus, the L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco is a “wood eating” pleco whose sucker mouth contains teeth that rasp biofilm from driftwood. It is ideal to have multiple driftwood pieces upon which this fish can graze, and at least some wood must be present at all times. The L397 Alenquer Tiger is not a particularly efficient algae eater, but its rasping habits may result in damage to ornamental plants, particularly in smaller tanks. It is possible that it would not do noticeable damage to more durable plants in a fairly large tank with plenty of driftwood. It will also appreciate being fed some fresh vegetables such as shelled peas, spinach, zucchini, and cucumber, or dry and frozen foods that are very rich in vegetable matter.

• Species – Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus
• Common Name – Tiger Pleco
• Origin – Rio Araguaya, affluent of Tocantins, Amazon system, Arunana, Goias, Brazil
• Diet – Omnivorous
• PH Range – Alkaline 6.5 – 7.5
• Temperature – Tropical 24-29°c
• Breed Type – egg layer
• Current Size – approximately 5cm (Grows to approximately 10cm)
• Sex – Un-sexed