L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco (Panaqolus sp.), Tank-Bred

To protect our animals and to ensure they get to our customers healthy and thriving, we will only ship our orders via UPS Next Day Air.

The Alenquer Tiger Pleco is a beautiful and relatively low-maintenance species that makes an excellent addition to a well-established aquarium with plenty of hiding spots. They are particularly admired for their striking tiger-like pattern, but it’s important to provide them with the proper water conditions, space, and diet to keep them healthy. These plecos are also great for algae control, though they are not as effective as other algae-eating species, so supplementation of algae wafers and other foods is essential.

• Size at shipping: 2-3 Inches 
• Sold as: Unsexed
• Tank bred and raised (from our aquarium to your aquarium)

Fish may not be identical to the pictures you see, most are the parents as what they will grow up to resemble. 

The Alenquer Tiger Pleco (scientifically known as Hypancistrus sp. L-114) is a striking species of freshwater catfish from the Hypancistrus genus, part of the Loricariidae family. The name "Alenquer" comes from a specific locality in the Rio Xingu in Brazil, where these fish are found.

Here’s some information about the Alenquer Tiger Pleco:

Key Characteristics:

• Appearance:

  • The Alenquer Tiger Pleco is known for its bold and beautiful patterning, featuring a mix of light and dark stripes or spots resembling tiger-like patterns.
  • The base color is usually a creamy yellow or light brown with black stripes or spots running across the body. This pattern makes it highly sought after in the aquarium hobby.
  • It has a relatively flat body and a large, broad head with a sucker mouth, typical of plecos, which it uses for grazing on surfaces.

• Size:

  • These plecos grow to a size of around 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) in length, though they may grow slightly larger in optimal conditions.

• Habitat:

  • Native to the Rio Xingu in the Brazilian Amazon, these fish are found in the fast-moving waters of clear, acidic rivers. They tend to hide in crevices among rocks and wood, which provides them with both shelter and a place to graze.

Care Requirements:

• Water Parameters:

  • They prefer soft to moderately hard water with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. The water temperature should be kept in the range of 26-30°C (79-86°F).
  • It’s essential to maintain clean, well-filtered water, as plecos are sensitive to poor water quality.

• Tank Setup:

  • A 60-gallon (or larger) tank is recommended for this species, as they need plenty of space to move around.
  • They enjoy tanks with lots of driftwood, rocks, and caves for hiding, as these mimic their natural environment.
  • A gentle current is beneficial for them, as they are found in rivers with a moderate flow.

• Diet:

  • As a sucker-mouth fish, the Alenquer Tiger Pleco feeds on biofilm, algae, and detritus in the wild. In captivity, they will graze on algae wafers, blanched vegetables (like zucchini or cucumber), and occasional protein-based foods like bloodworms or shrimp pellets.
  • These fish are also known to be nocturnal, often feeding during the night, so it is good to provide plenty of food after the lights go out.

• Behavior:

  • The Alenquer Tiger Pleco is generally peaceful and tends to be a solitary or semi-solitary species. It may exhibit some territorial behavior, especially when it comes to other plecos or similar species.
  • It's important to avoid keeping them with overly aggressive tankmates, but they can be housed with other peaceful species, such as tetras, peaceful cichlids, and other catfish species.

Breeding:

• Breeding the Alenquer Tiger Pleco in captivity is quite rare, but it’s possible. They are cave spawners, and a dedicated breeding environment with appropriate water parameters may encourage them to spawn.