{"product_id":"l236-pleco-hypancistrus-sp-l236","title":"L236 Pleco | Hypancistrus sp. L236","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L236 is a highly sought-after Hypancistrus pleco, prized for its bold, maze-like pattern of white or pale-yellow lines over a dark body. A medium-sized, slow-growing catfish reaching around 12–15 cm, it is beautiful, comparatively hardy for the group, but genuinely demanding on water quality, warmth and flow — and generally kept by dedicated pleco enthusiasts rather than absolute beginners.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHypancistrus L236 originates from the fast, warm, oxygen-rich rapids of the Rio Xingu in Brazil, among rock crevices and boulder fields. These clear waters are warm and soft with strong current, and the fish wedges itself into narrow rocky gaps for shelter and to ambush small prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA stocky, flattened catfish covered in a striking pattern of fine white to yellow vermiculations and lines over a dark chocolate-to-black base — the exact pattern is unique to each fish, and selectively bred \"Super White\" and \"Super Yellow\" lines command premium prices. Mature males develop longer odontodes on the pectoral fins and behind the gills.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful toward other species but territorial with its own kind and other cave-dwellers, so provide plenty of individual caves and crevices. It suits calm community tanks and will not trouble mid- or upper-water fish, but is best not crowded with competing bottom-dwellers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnlike wood-grazing plecos, L236 is a carnivore. Feed protein-rich sinking foods — quality carnivore pellets and sinking wafers — plus frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and similar meaty foods. Avoid a heavily vegetable diet; some algae grazing is natural but protein should dominate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide an aquarium of at least 150 litres with strong flow, very high oxygenation and a network of rock and caves. This species demands warm, soft, spotlessly clean water and does best in the upper temperature range — stable, well-filtered conditions are essential, and it is intolerant of poor water quality or low oxygen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawning Hypancistrus that is bred in aquaria, often in groups with more males than females and abundant caves. The male entices a female into his cave, guards the eggs, and tends the fry after hatching. Warm, soft, high-quality water with strong flow is key to triggering and sustaining spawns.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHypancistrus sp. L236\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL236 Pleco\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRio Xingu, Brazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–12 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial with own kind)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (sinking protein foods, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e27–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–12 dGH (soft to neutral)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm, high-flow community and biotope aquariums (experienced keepers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (does not eat healthy plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful mid- and upper-water fish that enjoy warm, soft water such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, hatchetfish and peaceful dwarf cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther cave-dwelling plecos or catfish without enough individual caves, aggressive large cichlids, and any species needing cooler or hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232802193699,"sku":null,"price":690.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232802226467,"sku":"AA2446","price":795.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232802259235,"sku":null,"price":915.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/L236_Pleco_4f915fff-bf42-4ad5-8b65-b4ab474f84dd.jpg?v=1781699136","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/l236-pleco-hypancistrus-sp-l236","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}