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Hey everyone. About half a year ago I've bought the the illustrious Leporacanthicus triactis (L091. He/she is about 10 cm and still a juvenile I think. The pleco is doing great and looks awesome. It is extremely shy and only shows itself at night when I look inside with a flashlight, or occasionally at daytime when I feed. He/she (I've read the thread of Haavard & Co, impossible to sex at this stage, even when it is adult) is in a 180L tank but is refusing to accept bogwood and a coconut as a hiding place. Instead it dug a very deep hole in the gravel behind some plants at the back of my tank, this is now the hiding place of the freggle..... Is this rellay ok for him? Should I make a cave with stones so he will feel better.

I also am a bit amazed that it ísn't a big eater, just gathering some left overs from the other fish and that's about it. I especially bought freeze dried food (bloodworms, krill gammarus) cause it's an omnivour, but it doesn't touch it. Does anybody has suggestions what other protien food I can give?

The owner from the fishshop had two of them and unfortunately I bought only one, the other was sold later. I definitely would like to have a pair (male/female, but that will be a problem for later..). The owner will not get them anymore. How/where can I get another one? I think they are pretty rare in shops.

Greetzz, Barry

Hello!

I use caves or pipes. You can do them you're self by clay and burn them in some shop where they have that service. Or, you can use some kind of pipe, not a PVC pipe, but one made out of clay.

For Leporacanthicus species i use shrimps and shrimps mixed with vegge. No gelatine
Don't know what you'rse doecen't like bloodworms....

Sinking wafles are also good.

The best way to get a pair, or one male wih 2-3 feamles would be better, is to buy 5-7 small ones (if you don't find a pair).

Males, about 14 cm will get a larger and longer head. Have a look at Janne Ekströms photos on L091- You can alos compare with my photos on L240, they are similar in sexing.

Good luck

Hi Cristoffer! Thanx for the info. I will defenitely try shrimps as food, that will do the trick I hope. The sexing will hopefully be possible the way you described, I will try to make some photos when the plec is a bit older and place them here. Getting 5-7 juveniles is virtually impossible cause this species is are almost never sold in shops in The Netherlands, so the problem will be to buy them ueberhaupt... Even if I could, 7 of them will be too much in a 180 L aquarium (and a very expensive investment as they cost 40 euro's a piece....)

The idea with the clay is very cool, never thought about that. Moreover, a very good friend of mine even works full time in a ceramics shop with ovens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Coincidence, and fur sure I can make a deal with him;)

Cheers, Barry