L333 King Tiger Pleco (Hypancistrus sp.) is primarily nocturnal, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork

The L333 King Tiger Pleco (Hypancistrus sp. ), also known as the Orinoco Angel Pleco, is a member of the family Loricariidae and can be found in the Orinoco River basin in South America. Its body is covered in contrasting black and white "maze-like" stripes, making it a great addition to a planted or miniature aquarium. We are excited to be among the first stores to offer tank-raised juveniles of the King Tiger Pleco, which, like many other plecos, have previously only been available through wild capture. Because of the construction of hydroelectric dams in the Rio Xingu, where this species was once abundant, its native range has shrunk, and import bans and quotas have been put in place to protect it.

The King Tiger Pleco is a strong and peaceful fish that works well in aquariums of all sizes. In comparison to the Common Pleco and Trinidad Pleco, which can reach a maximum size of 20 inches (45 centimeters), the King Tiger Pleco is surprisingly small, reaching a maximum size of only 5.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) (8.9 to 10.7 cm). Due to its diminutive size, a 40-gallon aquarium could potentially support a pleco for its entire life, provided it is properly cared for. Although male plecos have a reputation for being territorial, most disputes can be avoided by providing ample space and hiding areas for all fish. King Tiger Plecos tend to ignore the presence of other fish, but they may eat dwarf shrimp if they become bored. However, large Amano, Green Lace, Flower, and Vampire Shrimp are unaffected, as are ornamental snails. It's important to note that these fish and invertebrates have a temperature minimum of much higher than normal. Some shrimp can't take the heat, and this is one of those times.

The King Tiger Pleco is nocturnal, but can sometimes be seen swimming around during the day in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rocks, and other hiding places. It is not known to eat as much wood as other plecos (Panaque speciosum, etc.), but occasional supplementation with wood may be beneficial (or bio-film on driftwood). Although it is not effective at cleaning the water of algae, the King Tiger Pleco poses no threat to most plants. Feeding your King Tiger Pleco a diet that includes high-quality vegetable flakes, sinking algae wafers, and pellets, is a good idea. It thrives on a variety of fresh vegetables, including shelled peas, spinach, zucchini, and cucumber. Due to its massive size, this species requires meaty feeds like bloodworms to survive. To thrive, this species needs a fast-moving aquarium's water current.