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Peaceful but shy; defends a cave and likes clean, warm, oxygenated water.
229 species in our list are a good match.
Peaceful but shy; defends a cave and likes clean, warm, oxygenated water.
Mostly meaty food: sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, mysis and prawn. It does not graze algae, so don't rely on vegetables.
Tap a food to see what it is.
Seen from above, mature males have a noticeably longer and wider head than females, a bigger dorsal fin and more odontodes (bristles).
Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
Cave spawner ·
Cave spawner that has been bred in the hobby, though reports are scarce.
Grow out 6-8 juveniles and let a pair form; keep the group in a well-oxygenated, stable tank.
100-200 L tank with strong flow, many caves sized to the fish (PVC or ceramic tubes), and very clean, warm water.
Cool water changes, increased flow and a seasonal drop in temperature, plus rich protein feeding.
The male guards a small clutch (5-30 large amber eggs) in the cave for around 5-10 days until they hatch; the fry carry a big yolk sac.
Fry stay in the cave until the yolk is gone, then feed on sinking algae wafers, blanched veg and crushed flake. Keep nitrate low.
A Leporacanthicus ('vampire plec') from rapids of the Rio Tapajós, Brazil, named for its two fang-like upper-jaw teeth. Young fish have striking white fin tips that fade with age and often disappear. Unlike most plecs it prefers meaty foods such as bloodworm, mussel and prawn; algae and vegetables are rarely taken.
The trade code L264 and the name 'sultan pleco' are usually associated with Leporacanthicus joselimai, a spotted vampire-type pleco from the Rio Tapajós in Brazil. Like many L-number fish, it was known to aquarists by its code before its identity was settled. Its white spots and orange-edged fins make it a prized catch.
15 facts checked with sources
L264 is not an undescribed Hypancistrus: it is Leporacanthicus joselimai Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989, one of the 'vampire plecs' with two fang-like upper-jaw teeth. Keep 'L264' and 'sultan pleco' as trade names.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264) · Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes: Leporacanthicus joselimaiLegacy has no family field; sourced value recorded.
FishBase: Leporacanthicus joselimai summarySeriously Fish 15 cm SL (aquarium fish), FishBase 9.8 cm SL (museum material); larger figure used per the size rule. Legacy 10 cm is too small.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264) · FishBase: Leporacanthicus joselimai summaryLegacy 26-31 is too warm; Seriously Fish says it needs a very steady temperature.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)Legacy has no hardness; sourced value recorded.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)120 x 30 x 30 cm = 108,000 cm³ = 108 L. Legacy 120 L is a little more generous; fine as a recommendation, but the sourced minimum is ~108 L. Seriously Fish asks for more space if keeping a group.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)Can be kept singly; groups need room and territories.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)Peaceful towards other fish but territorial with its own kind, especially males.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)Legacy 3 (hard); Seriously Fish rates it moderate. It needs highly oxygenated, moving water and a meaty diet.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)Legacy story says 'from the Xingu region'; it is a Tapajós fish.
Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes: Leporacanthicus joselimai · Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264) · FishBase: Leporacanthicus joselimai summaryAgrees with legacy (broader head and odontodes in males). Legacy text is the generic pleco template.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)Agrees with legacy 'cave spawner; rarely bred'.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)Legacy 'from the Xingu region' is wrong (Tapajós). 'Bold white and yellow spotting' fits the dark body with light spots but the sources stress the white fin tips of young fish. The legacy food line (algae wafers, vegetables) is wrong for this carnivore.
Seriously Fish: Leporacanthicus joselimai (Sultan Plec, L264)