Care
Leporacanthicus triactis is a beautiful large suckermouth catfish known from rapid sections of rivers where water is forced at speed through boulders and is saturated with oxygen. This species grows to a substantial size and will require a spacious, mature aquarium with soft, acidic water. Provide a dark substrate and plenty of shady retreats amongst bogwood and sturdy rocky caves, ensuring all decor is secure as larger specimens can be a little clumsy at times. The water should be very well-filtered (adult fish produce a substantial amount of waste) and a decent current should be provided by extra powerheads in order to simulate the highly-oxygenated waters that these fish originate from; they will not fare well in calmer waters. Ensure regular partial water changes are carried out to help keep nitrogenous wastes to a minimum. This species is generally peaceful, although it can be rather territorial with its own kind and similar species. More than one specimen may be kept in the same tank if it is spacious and multiple hiding places/visual barriers are provided.
L. triactis mixes well with medium sized characins, some of the more robust
Corydoras catfish species, and many rheophilic cichlids. Depending on various factors, including mood, sex, age, or surroundings, these fish can change colour from brown or grey to charcoal black. There are also a couple of different colour forms of this species, displaying varying degrees of the bright orange markings - one of the more commonly imported variants is referred to as 'tiger fin'. Adult fish tend to display an overall lighter colouration than younger fish but they always retain the distinctive, attractive orange blotches with age (and if anything, these orange areas actually intensify as the fish mature), making this a particular favourite with L-number aficionados. Like all other members of the
Leporacanthicus genus, these fish have a small backward-facing blunt 'horn' on top of their heads, and unique upper jaw dentition consisting of two fang-like teeth (the latter being the reason behind the 'vampire plec' collective nametag for the
Leporacanthicus genus). It is thought that this specialised dentition aids the catfish in gripping various invertebrate prey items. May also be seen on sale as Three Beacon Pleco.
Feeding
An omnivorous species. Offer a variety of foodstuffs including sinking catfish pellets/tablets/algae wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped krill etc, as well as a good proportion of vegetable matter such as blanched spinach, kale, courgette, cucumber etc.
Breeding
L. triactis has been bred in the home aquarium, but this is not a frequent occurrence and this species would make an excellent breeding project for the dedicated hobbyist. These fish are cave spawners and will require a choice of several caves that are just slightly longer than the fish, but not excessively wide (clay drainage pipes blocked off at one end with slate can work well). Well-conditioned fish are said to have been triggered into spawning by carrying out a 30% water change with slightly cooler water. An elaborate and somewhat aggressive courtship ritual followed, and it is believed that the male fish enters the cave first with just the end of his tail protruding to attract the female. At some point the female is allowed to enter the cave and deposit her eggs, which the male fertilises soon after. He ejects her from the cave and takes on parental care of the eggs, fanning them with his pectoral fins. The eggs should hatch around 3 days later (temperature dependent) and the wrigglers will quickly absorb their yolk sacs. At this point the fry should be offered a variety of crushed sinking pellets/wafers and tiny frozen foods.
