{"product_id":"l333-king-tiger-pleco-hypancistrus-sp-l333","title":"L333 King Tiger Pleco | Hypancistrus sp. L333","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L333 King Tiger is one of the most striking dwarf plecos in the hobby — a bold black-and-white maze pattern on a hardy, manageable 12–15 cm fish. Meaty diet, driftwood and good flow keep it thriving, and it is a brilliant entry into fancy L-numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L333 hails from the fast-flowing, warm, oxygen-rich rapids of the Rio Xingu in Brazil, where it shelters among rock crevices and submerged timber. The water there is soft, slightly acidic and immaculately clean, tumbling over rock at high flow — conditions worth recreating at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe classic King Tiger wears a dense labyrinth of creamy-white lines over a dark charcoal-to-black body, every fish uniquely patterned. A streamlined \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus\u003c\/em\u003e with a broad head and rasping mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA peaceful fish towards midwater tankmates, the L333 keeps to the bottom and rarely bothers anyone. It can, however, be territorial towards other plecos and bottom-dwellers, especially over a favoured cave, so give each pleco its own retreat and plenty of broken sightlines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite its rasping mouth, the L333 is not a wood-eater or an algae specialist — \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus\u003c\/em\u003e are essentially carnivores. Offer meaty sinking foods: quality carnivore pellets and wafers, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and the occasional morsel of prawn or mussel. A little vegetable matter is fine but should not be the mainstay.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive the L333 warm, soft, spotlessly clean and highly oxygenated water with brisk flow from a powerhead or spray bar. Provide caves, driftwood and rockwork for security. It is hardy by \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus\u003c\/em\u003e standards but intolerant of poor water quality, so keep on top of maintenance and filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCave-spawning and achievable in the home aquarium. A well-conditioned pair will spawn inside a tight pleco cave, where the male fans and guards the clutch until the fry become free-swimming. Soft, warm water, strong flow and a good conditioning diet trigger breeding.\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. L333\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL333 King Tiger Pleco\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRio Xingu, Brazil (South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful; territorial toward other plecos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (meaty sinking foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26–30 °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 moderately hard)\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\u003eIntermediate keepers; community and biotope tanks with good flow\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 or uproot plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful midwater fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids, Corydoras and rainbowfish. Excellent in soft-water community and South American biotope tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther plecos or bottom-dwellers kept without enough caves and space, and very aggressive or fin-nipping species. Avoid hard, alkaline setups and warm-water tankmates that dislike strong flow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232804913443,"sku":"BA8210","price":105.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232804946211,"sku":"BA8210-M","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232804978979,"sku":"BA8210-L","price":140.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/l333-king-tiger-pleco-hypanc-43886206648611.webp?v=1790306098","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/l333-king-tiger-pleco-hypancistrus-sp-l333","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}