Snowball Pleco

Looks how to spot one

Armoured suckermouth catfish

A bony-plated pleco with a dark body sprinkled with large white to yellow spots, smaller spots on the head, and spots that line up into bands on the upper tail in adults. Males are slimmer, carry more odontodes on the pectoral fins and cheeks and often show a reddish tone; females look stockier from above.1

Personality what they are like

A peaceful pleco that keeps to the bottom and rarely bothers other fish.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Prefers clean, well-oxygenated water with steady movement.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keep water at 22 to 30 C, pH 5.0 to 7.5 and hardness 1 to 15 dGH. Very clean water matters: plan weekly changes of 30 to 50 percent and good oxygenation.1

Home where they are happiest

Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 120 x 45 cm (about 243 litres), with caves, rocks and some wood.1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

An omnivore with a liking for small invertebrates. Offer sinking dried foods, frozen Daphnia, bloodworm and other larvae, shrimp, plus occasional fruit or parboiled potato. Gel-based homemade foods work well.1

Company who they like around

Gets along with peaceful tankmates. Avoid keeping it with other Hypancistrus species so they do not cross-breed.1

The story where it all began

Armbruster described the species in 2002. It is closely related to Hypancistrus contradens and is known in the aquarium hobby by its trade code L102.12

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy

Described by Armbruster in 20022

IUCN Red List

Least Concern2

Aquarium trade codes

L1021