Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias “L7”

Order: Siluriformes
Suborder: Loricarioidei
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Genus: Leporacanthicus
Species: not described yet, probably identical with Leporacanthicus galaxias, Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989

This Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias "L7" is a Leporacanthicus of middle size, which is very similar to the described species Leporacanthicus galaxias "L29". If it's two different species or just a local forms has still to be verified.

"L7" shows a compact and high body shape with a rather small caudal fin for its genus. The head is, in comparison to the body, large but not as long and pointy as the head of the "L29".

The overall body has a brown color but when this fish has stress, this body color can change to beige-brown with stripes. On top of that "L7" shows yellow spots all over the body.

Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias "L7" can be quite aggressive towards its own kind and other plecos of the same size and genus. Especially males can be rather territorial and can damage other fish with their pointy teeth. With those teeth, this species often gnaws into the silicone connections of the aquarium, so it is smart to always secure those joints with plastic or glass stripes, to prevent aquarium damages and leakage.

The "L7" comes from the Brazilian River Rio Guamá. There you can find him in warm, clear and highly oxygenated water. Slightly acidic pH and a temperature of 26 - 30 °C can be observed in its habitat.

This pleco is a carnivore. In other words, it eats mostly animal proteins.
In the wild, this species specializes in breaking open mussels, snails and crustaceans. Also dead fish are eaten by this species. With its pointy teeth it can, next to open mussels, snails and crustaceans, also crack open wooden and rocky crevices to search for food.

In captivity this species prefers to eat frosted food, for example artemia, krill, shrimps, snails and mussels. They also accept dry food such as snails and granules very good, which also help the females to develop eggs in the body really quickly. In short, this fish is an easy eater and not really hard to get to eat.

An aquarium from 120 cm in length and upwards is good for this pleco. Depending on the size and on how many individuals are kept together the aquarium should be chosen bigger if needed. It is possible to keep the Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias "L7" solitary, in pairs or in groups. However, if there are several males with a female in one tank it should be taken care to create a lot of hiding spots, for the sub dominant males to hide.

Good streaming, high oxygen levels and a good filtration are necessary keep this pleco happy and so healthy. Water temperatures of 26 - 29 °C are optimal. In addition, weekly water changes with slightly softer and more acidic water help this species to get into breeding mood.

Please take care, to secure all silicone connections in the aquarium. Those and also electric cables (of heaters etc.) can be damaged by the pointy teeth of this "Vampire Pleco".

Sex difference coming soon.

This species is a cave spawner. Our experience is that they prefer to breed in the round caves, mostly quite small caves in comparing to the fish. Like other plecos, also here the males takes care of the egg batch till the fry hatch and use up their yolk sacc.

To get this species to spawn, it's easiest to keep a group of 5 - 6 middle sized specimens together in a special breeding aquarium. Most important is that there are always more caves then plecos in the aquarium, so that every pleco can choose its own hiding and breeding spot, without having to fight constantly for it. Also this pleco shouldn't be stressed to much.
Protein rich food helps the females to develop eggs quick in the belly.
Tunneling occurs fast, but spawning is normally not so easy. In our experience, the "L7" is one of the easier to breed Leporacanthicus, also the fry grow quite fast for their species.

Weekly water changes with osmosis / tap water mixture (<200 mS conductivity) and warm temperatures (30 °C) are needed to get "L7" to spawn. Tunneling can take up to weeks, even that the spawning process itself goes quick and is done in several minutes.

The fry hatch after 6 - 8 days, depending on the water temperature. After hatching it is possible to separate the babies into a breeding box, to control the raising better. After around a year the youngsters reach a size of 4 - 5 cm body length and are strong enough to move.