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L333 KING TIGER PLECO (SIZE 3CM)

Description

The L333  King Tiger Pleco (Hypancistrus sp.) is a member of the Loricariidae family of South American suckermouth catfishes.  Its entire body is covered in black and white or yellow “maze-like” stripes, making it a very striking fish for the planted or nano aquarium.  Like many plecos, the King Tiger Pleco has generally been a wild-caught species, but we are proud to be among the first stores to offer tank-raised juveniles at a much lower cost than wild-caught specimens!
A generally peaceful and hardy species, the King Tiger Pleco is an excellent, undemanding candidate for most aquariums. Unlike the widely-seen Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) and Trinidad Pleco (Hypostomus punctatus), which easily reach a monstrous size of 18 to 20+ inches (45 to 51+ cm), the King Tiger Pleco grows to a size of only 5.5 to 6.3 inches (13.75 to 15.75 cm).  
This smaller size makes for a much more manageable (and less messy) pleco that can thrive permanently in a well-maintained aquarium as small as 40 gallons.  Male plecos may be somewhat territorial with other males of their species, but disputes can usually be diffused by providing ample territory and hiding places for each fish. 
All other fish tankmates will be generally ignored, although it is likely that dwarf shrimp will fall prey to the King Tiger Pleco.  However, ornamental snails will not be bothered and large Amano, Green Lace, Flower, and Vampire Shrimp are generally unthreatened by the King Tiger Pleco.  Please note that this fish requires a significantly warmer temperature than many other fish and invertebrates.  Some shrimp will not thrive in these high temperatures.
The King Tiger Pleco is primarily nocturnal, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and other hiding places.  It is not known to eat wood heavily like some plecos (Panaque sp., etc.), but it may benefit from some supplementary wood (or bio-film on driftwood).
The King Tiger Pleco will not bother most plants and it is not an effective algae eater
Feed the King Tiger Pleco a diet heavy in both meaty and vegetable matter, including high-quality vegetable flakes, sinking algae wafers, and pellets.  It will also appreciate being fed some fresh vegetables such as shelled peas, spinach, zucchini, and cucumber.  Meaty foods such as bloodworms are definitely necessary for this species, especially in comparison to some other “pleco” species.  This species requires a well-maintained aquarium with moderate to high water flow in order to thrive.
What We Like About This Fish:
  • The King Tiger Pleco is an extremely beautiful and very peaceful, hardy addition to almost any aquarium.
  • At a maximum size of 5.1 to 6 inches, this is a very practical and manageable fish.
  • This fish will not bother most plants.  It will also scavenge and consume most uneaten fish food.
  • The King Tiger Pleco is an aquarium fish with a unique appearance as well as plenty of personality.
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS: 
  • Temperature:  79° - 86° F (26° - 30° C)
  • pH:  5.5 - 7.5 (flexible as long as sudden changes are avoided)
  • KH:  6 - 10 dKH
  • Minimum tank size:  40 gallons
 

L333 KING TIGER PLECO (SIZE 3CM)

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$100.00


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    Description

    The L333  King Tiger Pleco (Hypancistrus sp.) is a member of the Loricariidae family of South American suckermouth catfishes.  Its entire body is covered in black and white or yellow “maze-like” stripes, making it a very striking fish for the planted or nano aquarium.  Like many plecos, the King Tiger Pleco has generally been a wild-caught species, but we are proud to be among the first stores to offer tank-raised juveniles at a much lower cost than wild-caught specimens!
    A generally peaceful and hardy species, the King Tiger Pleco is an excellent, undemanding candidate for most aquariums. Unlike the widely-seen Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) and Trinidad Pleco (Hypostomus punctatus), which easily reach a monstrous size of 18 to 20+ inches (45 to 51+ cm), the King Tiger Pleco grows to a size of only 5.5 to 6.3 inches (13.75 to 15.75 cm).  
    This smaller size makes for a much more manageable (and less messy) pleco that can thrive permanently in a well-maintained aquarium as small as 40 gallons.  Male plecos may be somewhat territorial with other males of their species, but disputes can usually be diffused by providing ample territory and hiding places for each fish. 
    All other fish tankmates will be generally ignored, although it is likely that dwarf shrimp will fall prey to the King Tiger Pleco.  However, ornamental snails will not be bothered and large Amano, Green Lace, Flower, and Vampire Shrimp are generally unthreatened by the King Tiger Pleco.  Please note that this fish requires a significantly warmer temperature than many other fish and invertebrates.  Some shrimp will not thrive in these high temperatures.
    The King Tiger Pleco is primarily nocturnal, but will often become active during daytime hours once established in an aquarium with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and other hiding places.  It is not known to eat wood heavily like some plecos (Panaque sp., etc.), but it may benefit from some supplementary wood (or bio-film on driftwood).
    The King Tiger Pleco will not bother most plants and it is not an effective algae eater
    Feed the King Tiger Pleco a diet heavy in both meaty and vegetable matter, including high-quality vegetable flakes, sinking algae wafers, and pellets.  It will also appreciate being fed some fresh vegetables such as shelled peas, spinach, zucchini, and cucumber.  Meaty foods such as bloodworms are definitely necessary for this species, especially in comparison to some other “pleco” species.  This species requires a well-maintained aquarium with moderate to high water flow in order to thrive.
    What We Like About This Fish:
    • The King Tiger Pleco is an extremely beautiful and very peaceful, hardy addition to almost any aquarium.
    • At a maximum size of 5.1 to 6 inches, this is a very practical and manageable fish.
    • This fish will not bother most plants.  It will also scavenge and consume most uneaten fish food.
    • The King Tiger Pleco is an aquarium fish with a unique appearance as well as plenty of personality.
    RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS: 
    • Temperature:  79° - 86° F (26° - 30° C)
    • pH:  5.5 - 7.5 (flexible as long as sudden changes are avoided)
    • KH:  6 - 10 dKH
    • Minimum tank size:  40 gallons
     

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

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