All assigned numbers: L174
Name:
Common Names: Ocelot pleco, Leopard Zebra Pleco, Panther Pleco
Location: South America: Rio Xingú near Altamira, Pará, Brazil.
Photos:
Appearance: As one of the most visially distinct of the hypancistrines, this animals is mistakable only with one L-400 (differentiatable by smaller eye size and stubbier build). It also stands as one of the smallest animals in the genus, rarely hitting 4", and, despite it's initially creamy white base coloration, can fade, with good care to dark gray. Other pertinent features for identification include, as mentioned, eye size, body structure, and rather significant but unlocalized odontodal growth in males.**
More info: Identification of Hypancistrus
Compatibility: When cramped for space and without enough hiding places, hostilities can break out, resulting in - sometimes severe - injuries. Despite that, the Ocelot Pleco is best kept in a small group, as it will show more natural behaviour and is more comfortable in when accompanied by a number of other L174.
Sexing and Breeding: Because of its small maximum size, a relatively small tank is sufficient for a (breeding) group: although this species has spawned in smaller tanks, a tank width a surface area of 80x40cm. (32x16") would ideal to house a (breeding) group of 5-6 individuals: the division of sexes is ideal with one male for every 2-3 females. To get these fish to breed, you need a heavily oxygenated tank with a number of spawning caves, a powerhead that runs water along the cave entrances, and a temperature that is raised to 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit (28-30 degrees Celsius).
Diet: An Omnivore that leans towards a meatier diet, so the main diet should consist of meaty foods: frozen foods (tubifex, mosquito larvae, blood worms, artemia), dry foods (freeze-dried foods, flakes, granules), carnivore sinking pellets, and occasionally some small pieces of shrimp, mussels or fish fillet are usually readily accepted. Once acclimatized, it will often also accept vegetable matter such as algae/spirulina disks and fresh vegetables (lettuce, zucchini/courgette, eggplant/aubergine, capsicum, carrot, peas, preboiled spinach).
This species usually does not eat algae (it lacks suitable teeth for that task), so it's not a suitable fish to keep your tank free of algae.
Water parameters: 24-30c PH 5.5-7.5
This smallest of all Hypancistrus-species prefers a dimly lit tank with a good number of hiding places, either created with plants, drift wood, rocks or artificial (pleco spawning) caves. To keep more than one specimen in the same tank, or together with other bottom dwelling fish, you need at least a 24x12" (60x30cm.) tank for a group of 3-4 specimen. This fish can be quite territorial, and when suitable hiding places are lacking, it can be aggressive towards other bottom dwellers. When kept as only catfish in an aquarium, a tank size of 20x12" (50x30cm.) is sufficient, but it is recommended to keep this species in a group in a species tank.
Although the Ocelot Pleco is a strong and adaptable species, it does best in warm, soft, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0-7,0), oxygen-rich water and a lot of currents. A powerful filter system is recommended, as this fish produces a lot of waste.
Max Size: 6-8cm. (2,5-3")
Bred by:
Additional Comments:
Hypancistrus youngsters may require a more vegetable based diet according to Back to Nature Lnumbers book.
Profile information used with permission from www.piranha-Info.com
** Thank you to cup for permission to use the profile information from the Identification of Hypancistrus article
Name:
Common Names: Ocelot pleco, Leopard Zebra Pleco, Panther Pleco
Location: South America: Rio Xingú near Altamira, Pará, Brazil.
Photos:
Appearance: As one of the most visially distinct of the hypancistrines, this animals is mistakable only with one L-400 (differentiatable by smaller eye size and stubbier build). It also stands as one of the smallest animals in the genus, rarely hitting 4", and, despite it's initially creamy white base coloration, can fade, with good care to dark gray. Other pertinent features for identification include, as mentioned, eye size, body structure, and rather significant but unlocalized odontodal growth in males.**
More info: Identification of Hypancistrus
Compatibility: When cramped for space and without enough hiding places, hostilities can break out, resulting in - sometimes severe - injuries. Despite that, the Ocelot Pleco is best kept in a small group, as it will show more natural behaviour and is more comfortable in when accompanied by a number of other L174.
Sexing and Breeding: Because of its small maximum size, a relatively small tank is sufficient for a (breeding) group: although this species has spawned in smaller tanks, a tank width a surface area of 80x40cm. (32x16") would ideal to house a (breeding) group of 5-6 individuals: the division of sexes is ideal with one male for every 2-3 females. To get these fish to breed, you need a heavily oxygenated tank with a number of spawning caves, a powerhead that runs water along the cave entrances, and a temperature that is raised to 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit (28-30 degrees Celsius).
Diet: An Omnivore that leans towards a meatier diet, so the main diet should consist of meaty foods: frozen foods (tubifex, mosquito larvae, blood worms, artemia), dry foods (freeze-dried foods, flakes, granules), carnivore sinking pellets, and occasionally some small pieces of shrimp, mussels or fish fillet are usually readily accepted. Once acclimatized, it will often also accept vegetable matter such as algae/spirulina disks and fresh vegetables (lettuce, zucchini/courgette, eggplant/aubergine, capsicum, carrot, peas, preboiled spinach).
This species usually does not eat algae (it lacks suitable teeth for that task), so it's not a suitable fish to keep your tank free of algae.
Water parameters: 24-30c PH 5.5-7.5
This smallest of all Hypancistrus-species prefers a dimly lit tank with a good number of hiding places, either created with plants, drift wood, rocks or artificial (pleco spawning) caves. To keep more than one specimen in the same tank, or together with other bottom dwelling fish, you need at least a 24x12" (60x30cm.) tank for a group of 3-4 specimen. This fish can be quite territorial, and when suitable hiding places are lacking, it can be aggressive towards other bottom dwellers. When kept as only catfish in an aquarium, a tank size of 20x12" (50x30cm.) is sufficient, but it is recommended to keep this species in a group in a species tank.
Although the Ocelot Pleco is a strong and adaptable species, it does best in warm, soft, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0-7,0), oxygen-rich water and a lot of currents. A powerful filter system is recommended, as this fish produces a lot of waste.
Max Size: 6-8cm. (2,5-3")
Bred by:
Additional Comments:
Hypancistrus youngsters may require a more vegetable based diet according to Back to Nature Lnumbers book.
Profile information used with permission from www.piranha-Info.com
** Thank you to cup for permission to use the profile information from the Identification of Hypancistrus article