Clown Pleco L448 (Panaqolus sp. 'L448')

Clown Pleco L448 Panaqolus sp. 'L448'
Name	Clown Pleco L448
Name Lat.	Panaqolus sp. 'L448'
Synonym	LDA67, LDA68
Family	Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat.	Loricariidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Colombia, Venezuela
Habitat	Streams
Diet	Soft wood, algae
pH	5.5-7.5
Behavior	Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping	Individual, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Difficult
Life Span	N/A
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	6-8 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Hardness	2-20 °dH
Aquarium	~ 120 l
US Units
Size	2.4"-3"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Hardness	36-356 ppm
Aquarium	~ 30 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Ornamental Banded Dwarf Shield Catfish L448 is the upper Rio Meta drainage in Colombia. They live in stagnant small rivers and streams, preferring to live among sunken logs, branches and roots protruding into the water.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a robust planting, with roots that provide hiding places and at the same time are the main component of their diet. A sandy substrate, some subdued light (floating plants) and a weak current is ideal.

No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They feed mainly on soft wood, which is rasped off. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high quality dry food for loricariids (granules, pellets, chips, tablets) with high cellulose content and soft wood (mangrove, morcias), supplemented with algae leaves and fresh vegetables, such as zucchini, broccoli, bruised peas, scalded spinach, etc.

Feed only as much as will be eaten within a few minutes, excluding plant foods. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance

Behaviour and compatibility

They are crepuscular to nocturnal. Within the species and towards other loricariids they often behave territorially, therefore several animals should only be kept in larger, richly structured tanks. Towards other fish they are very peaceful and can be socialized well with them

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

Males have more pronounced odontodes (pointed skin teeth) on the caudal peduncle.

Reproduction and breeding

The breeding has already succeeded several times. They are cave breeders and the male does the brood care. After 12-14 days the fry swim freely and must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.

Important

They have a strong sucking mouth, with spoon-shaped teeth for scraping wood, and intestinal flora that allows the fish to digest the cellulose.

When fishing, use the finest mesh nets possible to prevent the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) from getting caught on the bone plates, which can cause painful puncture wounds when touched.

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch; SCHMIDT, WERNER, LECHNER (2005): MiniAtlas L-Welse, Bede-Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF