The Great Algae Eaters Tropical Fish Tank: Galaxy Pleco

The Great Algae Eaters Tropical Fish Tank: Galaxy Pleco – L.galaxias or Galaxy pleco originates from Rio Tocantins, Brazil, and is a regular meeting in the trade. It's a fairly big fish that needs some room to flourish, but as long as correct water conditions and sufficient foods are offered they're hardy and simple to keep and even strain.

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The Great Algae Eaters Tropical Fish Tank: Galaxy Pleco

Species Description These are very flattened fish intended for life in fast-flowing rapids. Their eyes are located near the very top of the head. The fish is black with grey to beige-gold blotches (the same color making up the majority of the backdrop of its fins and rasping mouthpart). In addition, it has white- to golden-colored spots.

These fish must be given large, clean and nicely filtered aquariums with lots of hiding places. They may be peaceful towards most other fish, but the men might be aggressive and territorial towards each other. Leopracanthicus are meat eaters, and ought to be fed a protein rich diet comprising fish meat and crustaceans, shrimps, mussels. Good quality dried foods must also be offered. They can be mature and prepared to breed under 10 cm have spawned in captivity in a surprisingly youthful age/modest size, even specimens!

Diet

A close look in the teeth of this pleco reveals we're coping with a carnivore. This species will even eat algae/bottom dwellers tablets and possibly even fresh vegetables, once acclimatized.

Besides being a carnivore, the Galaxy Pleco additionally is apparently a 'substrat filter feeder': I've often discovered my specimen shuffling through the gravel in a forward flitting motion, after which it moves forwards over the 'trench' it just created.

During this, it seems it use its tremendous sucker mouth as an internet, sucking up small particles that were simply whirled upwards: food is consumed, inedible stuff such as wood particles and gravel are expelled via the gill slits.

Care

A broad tank is required, preferably using a sandy substrate. Supply hiding shade and places with some big chunks of driftwood and smooth stone. Dimmed lighting is, in addition, beneficial and it’s critical the water is extremely oxygenated, preferably using a great amount of motion.

Consider using large airstones or powerheads to generate the desired effect. An efficient filter is needed to take care of the big quantities of waste it creates.

Sexing

Adult males have a wider and considerably longer head with small odontodes on the sides of head, more odontodes on pectoral fin spine as well as on the entire body, a bigger dorsal fin and usually a prettier coloration.

Behaviour and Compatibility

Normally peaceful with species inhabiting other portions of the tank. In a biotope setup tankmates that are good contain larger characins such as Anostomus, Hemiodus, Semaprochilodus and Metynnis species, reophilic cichlids such as Retroculus and in a large tank, other Loricariids needing similar states.

It’s territorial towards other benthic species, particularly those who have similar colour patterns. A group would need living quarters that are quite roomy.

Breeding

A breeding colony should be 4 fish or even more. They need to be placed in a 100 gallon / 400 litre or larger tank with plenty of hiding places and current. Duplicate going from your S. American dry season with older, slower moving water to fresh clean water with current that is at least 2 degrees cooler.

This will trigger fully mature fish. They will breed having a powerhead in a cavern or upturned flower pot. Even the fry tank should have current. Water quality should be kept optimum by regular partial water changes.