Alenquer Tiger Pleco

L-Number:  L397
Common Name: Alenquer Tiger Pleco
Scientific Name:  Panaqolus sp.
Genus:  Panaqolus
Wild Origin:  South America
Average Shipped Size:  1.2-1.3in
Adult Size:  5in

**Note:  All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No extra insulation needs to be added to your cart for your livestock.

The Alenquer Tiger Pleco is a beautiful suckermouth catfish variety. This Pleco specimen features bold orange and black stripes across its entire body. This pattern and color combination is not commonly seen with Plecos, making the Alenquer Tiger a rarity and a highly coveted variety. The Alenquer Tiger stays smaller in size compared to the Common Pleco, making it suitable for mid-sized aquariums where it will readily scavenge. Plecos are relatively peaceful and do not generally bother other tankmates, but may prey on dwarf shrimp from time to time.

This species tends to be most active at night, but after it acclimatizes to an aquarium with ample driftwood, rock structures, and hiding spots, it may be active during the daytime. The Alenquer Tiger Pleco is a "wood-eating" pleco. Its suction mouth contains teeth that scrape biofilm from driftwood. Having multiple driftwood pieces in the aquarium for grazing is suggested, as a constant supply of driftwood is essential to this species' health and longevity.

Key Features & Important Notes

• Unsexed juveniles
• Tank raised specimen
• Bright, bold pattern
• To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after an order is placed to properly prepare live animal shipments

Recommended Water Parameters
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research before committing to keeping any livestock.

• Temperature Range:  72-84°F
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• KH:  6-10

Recommended Tank Size
30 gallons.  Tank size is relative and various factors should be considered when determining tank size. Factors include maintenance schedules, tank mates, desired colony size, and more.

Diet
Requires a wood and plant matter-based diet. Ensure that driftwood is available at all times for biofilm grazing. Supplement with high-quality vegetable flakes and sinking algae wafers, as well as fresh vegetables like shelled peas, spinach, zucchini, and cucumber.

Breeding
Juvenile Alenquer Tiger Plecos are impossible to differentiate by sex, but as they mature, distinct gender characteristics emerge. Males develop prominent odontodes on their pectoral fins and heads, while females might have smaller, less noticeable ones. Females display rounder body shapes, while males possess broader, shorter heads. Full maturity might take up to 2 years, so patience is necessary if you're looking to form breeding pairs from a group. To prepare for breeding, ensure the adult breeders are well-conditioned with a diet of live and frozen foods beforehand.

The simplest breeding method involves isolating a pair in a dedicated tank filled with ample caves. Pipes or plant pots make great make-shift "caves". Cave entrances should be slightly larger than the fish so the female has enough room to lay her eggs. Maintain well-oxygenated water and keep the pH under 6.5. The spawning of the fish is induced by factors such as low air pressure and water changes.

The male picks a preferred spawning site and actively defends it. He entices the female to the site, though egg-laying might occur days later. Post-spawn, the female plays no further role and is chased away by the male. He handles parenting duties, safeguarding, and fanning the eggs with his fins. Once hatched, fry feed off their yolk sacs initially. Once consumed, provide newly hatched fry with algae wafers, baby brine shrimp, micro-worms, or crushed flakes.