Care
An attractive plec from the highly oxygenated, fast-flowing waters of the Xingu river basin in Brazil.
The aquarium should be mature, with a soft sand substrate and various pieces of smooth rockwork and bogwood arranged to create lots of shady caves and crevices. There should be brisk water movement and a high level of oxygenation. These bottom-dwellers require warmer than average water temperatures, and will not do well below 25°C. The smallest of their genus, these fish are sociable with their own kind and less territorial than many L number plecs, but ensure plenty of hiding places are available. Companions should ideally occupy the middle and upper levels, be reasonably peaceful, and be able to thrive in warm, soft water with decent current. It's important to make sure that tankmates don't outcompete them for the meaty foods which they require. Robust aquarium plants are rarely eaten, but larger fish may uproot them in their ongoing search for food items. Ensure that regular partial water changes are carried out as these catfish produce a fair amount of waste and will not tolerate an elevated nitrate level.
May be seen labelled as Caramel plec, or occasionally as L172a or L172b.
Feeding
These carnivores will take sinking catfish pellets, granules and even flake. Can be offered bloodworm, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp etc. Larger specimens will enjoy prawns, cockles, mussels, crab, crayfish etc. as well as live foods such as bloodworm.
Breeding
Has been bred in the home aquarium, with males guarding the eggs and wrigglers in typical L number style. Requisite for success with these cave-spawners is well-conditioned, sexually mature fish of both sexes kept in warm (30 °C), soft, acidic water with a high level of oxygenation, and a choice of several relatively snug caves
