Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Scarlet Pleco

Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Scarlet Pleco – Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025); common name "Scarlet pleco" is one of those species that you simply fall in love with. It is also a substantial eater when you desire to reveal it to your friends, as well as a fish that won't show up.

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Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Scarlet Pleco

Etymology this fish: Pseud- Greek: False, Acanthicus - Greek: Spiny, Thorny. Literally "Bogus Acanthicus" referring to this genus being similar to, yet distinct from, Acanthicus.

The specific epithet is derived from local fishermen's common name for this particular species, the "assacu-pirarara:" Pirarara describes the species' reddish fins (this is also the Brazilian common name the red tail catfish, Phractocephalus hemioliopterus); "Assacu" is a common name for the Amazon tree Hura crepitans, which has bark covered with conical spines.

Similar to L024 but with considerably more red colour in the fins and more conspicuous black spots. The eyes of L025 are distinct and provide the fish a hooded nearly ''bad'' appearance. Big, monstrously remarkable (16'' ), individuals are imported. Sexing: Mature males have significantly more odontodal growth on fins rays but the pectorals are most adorned. Females fill out fairly well in terms of the slender males.

Feeding

Favors prawns, cockle and mussel in addition to small bits of fish. Provide some vegetables to get a balanced diet. Fresh and/or frozen food is crucial to keep this fish joyful.

Water Parameters

water as they produce lots of organic waste. The circulation of water isn't as important, the fish will undoubtedly be somewhat happy having a relatively low flow however take caution to ensure there's tons of oxygen. The water should be soft (preferably). Notice that young fish are extremely sensitive to ammonia and nitrite.

Furniture

A potentially big pleco that may need robust decoration in the tank. Fairly will want cover to hide in and reclusive. Caution must certanly be taken that no other inhabitants of the aquarium effort to dispute ownership of the cover. This fish will fight for the land and, using its array of hooks and spines, could cause serious damage.

Sexing

The odontal development on the initial pectoral ray of the males is significantly more compact than this of the females. As the males grow become longer and much more slender by comparison to the shorter and more chubby females.

Suggested Tankmates

The temptation with large tough Loricariids is always to keep them with large, tough other fish including alternative brutish characters or Oscars. This actually works fairly well with plecos that are mostly vegetarian or most omnivorous. It is safer to think of these catfish as the centerpiece fish and stock their aquarium with moderate sized (rather omnivorous) fish. All sizes of barbs work astonishingly well.

Reproduction

There have been some references in aquaria, though not completely documented to replica. The fish is considered to be a cave spawner.

Behaviour in Captivity

L25s are introverted and shy fish and demand a cave and darkness or low lighting they are able to call their own. Despite their size (they're giants!) They're not aggressive towards other bottom dwellers and can happily have them share their space.

Yet, they're territorial and particularly competitive towards conspecifics. Should there be a challenge be prepared to find brutal fights until the hierarchy is established, and intimidation.

Due to their size as well as strength fights may have damaging consequences. Provide definitely separated spaces in the tank for them by minimising the need to allow them to search for food outside their space, and ensure each stays there. Given time they'll get used to each others existence and learn to live.