{"product_id":"l340-pleco-leporacanthicus-cf-galaxias","title":"L340 Mega Clown Pleco | Hypancistrus sp. L340","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L340 Mega Clown (also sold as the Imperial Tiger) is a small, beautifully marked dwarf pleco that stays around 10 cm — far more manageable than many L-numbers. Hardy, peaceful and full of character, it is an excellent fancy pleco for a well-kept, well-oxygenated tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L340 comes from warm, fast-flowing and highly oxygenated stretches of the Rio Tapajós and Rio Xingu systems in Brazil, sheltering among rock and driftwood in soft, slightly acidic, immaculately clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA compact \u003cem\u003eHypancistrus\u003c\/em\u003e patterned with fine, wavy pale lines and spots over a dark body, giving a busy 'clown' maze. Broad head, streamlined body and a rasping sucker mouth. Individually variable, and among the prettiest of the smaller L-numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and hardy, and ignored by most tankmates. Males can be mildly territorial with other male plecos, but disputes are easily defused by providing ample caves and hiding places. Very small shrimp fry may occasionally be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore at heart — offer meaty, insect-larvae-based foods such as bloodworms, tubifex and daphnia, alongside quality sinking carnivore pellets and wafers. It will take some blanched vegetables (courgette, pea, spinach) but it is neither an effective algae-eater nor a wood-eater.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide warm, soft, clean, well-oxygenated water with brisk flow, plenty of caves, driftwood and rockwork. Hardy for an L-number but sensitive to poor water quality, so maintain good filtration and regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner that has been bred in the home aquarium. Conditioned pairs spawn inside tight caves, with the male tending and fanning the eggs until the fry are free-swimming. Soft, warm, well-oxygenated water helps trigger spawning.\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. L340\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL340 Mega Clown Pleco (Imperial Tiger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRio Tapajós \/ Rio Xingu, Brazil (South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 10 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; males mildly territorial\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\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 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\u003e24–29 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.6\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; peaceful community and biotope tanks\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 community fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids, Corydoras and rainbowfish. A great low-key bottom-dweller for a planted community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther plecos crowded without enough caves, large aggressive cichlids, and very small dwarf shrimp (fry may be eaten). Avoid hard, alkaline, low-oxygen setups.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232802488611,"sku":"AA2445-S","price":375.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232802521379,"sku":"AA2445","price":430.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232802554147,"sku":"AA2445-L","price":495.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351965647139,"sku":"AA2445-XL","price":570.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/l340-pleco-leporacanthicus-c-43885922320675.webp?v=1790306092","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/l340-pleco-leporacanthicus-cf-galaxias","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}