Care
The Tigris Plec is known from fastwater sections of the western piedmont tributaries of the upper Orinoco and Ventuari rivers. Here the clear water flows quickly over substrates of bedrock where it is forced past boulders at speed and is saturated with oxygen. Such water courses are surrounded with marginal vegetation, and an aufwuchs-rich biofilm covers the rocky substrate, which these fish enjoy grazing upon.
The aquarium should be mature, with a soft sand or fine rounded gravel substrate and various pieces of smooth rockwork and bogwood arranged to create lots of shady caves and crevices. As plants are not found in any great abundance in the natural habitat, they can be omitted from the aquascape, although a few areas of hardy vegetation (that can cope with current) will make the aquarium look more aesthetically pleasing and will help with water quality. There should be brisk water movement and a high level of oxygenation, perhaps provided by wavemakers (in addition to the current generated by the filtration). Small frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum; as a riverine species these fish are rather sensitive to the build up of nitrogenous waste. These fish are generally peaceful, but males will show territorial aggression around favoured caves. In most instances though, they can be maintained in small groups as long as there is adequate room and enough hiding places to go round. Tankmates could include any peaceful shoaling fish that occupy the mid to upper levels of the water column and which also enjoy the fast-flowing conditions.
May also be seen on sale as Tiger-striped plane plec, or Tiger flyer catfish.
Feeding
Provide a diet rich in green matter, with occasional frozen foods such as white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, and Spirulina/vitamin-enriched brineshrimp; algae wafers and sinking catfish pellets/tablets make a good staple. Will nibble on algae. It is important to include a good proportion of vegetable matter in the diet, such as cucumber or courgette.
Breeding
This species has been bred in the home aquarium, but details are few and far between. This species is a cave spawner and it is the male fish which guards the eggs.
