{"product_id":"l340-spinyhead-pleco-leporacanthicus-cf-galaxias","title":"L340 Spinyhead Pleco | Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L340 Spinyhead Pleco is a bold, dark-bodied Loricariid covered in a scatter of golden-yellow spots, resembling a starry night sky. Growing to around 25cm, it's a predatory, highly prized L-number catfish for oddball and South American biotope tanks. Note: this fish is unrelated to the similarly numbered L340 Mega Clown Pleco (Hypancistrus sp.) also stocked in store — they are different species from different genera.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFound in fast-flowing river basins of Brazil, including tributaries of the Amazon and Tocantins, where it lives among rocks and rapids in highly oxygenated, well-flowing water. This strong-current habitat should be replicated as closely as possible in the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA robust, dark chocolate-brown to near-black body scattered with bold golden-yellow spots, giving it a galaxy-like appearance. The head is covered in enlarged, spiny odontodes (hence \"spinyhead\"), and unlike most algae-grazing plecos it has an upturned, predatory mouth adapted for hunting rather than rasping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful towards fish occupying the upper and middle water column, but strongly territorial towards other bottom-dwellers and especially other plecos, particularly those with similar colouring. Best kept as a single specimen per tank unless the aquarium is very large with abundant broken sightlines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that leans carnivorous, unusual for a pleco. It readily accepts sinking pellets alongside meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, bloodworm, and earthworm, and is notable for actively hunting and eating snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeeds a spacious tank with strong water flow and high oxygenation to mimic its rapids habitat, along with a sandy substrate and plenty of driftwood or rock caves for shelter. Water should be kept soft, slightly acidic, and stable, with excellent filtration to manage its heavy waste output.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOccasional breeding successes have been reported in the hobby, though detailed accounts are scarce. In the wild it is believed to spawn in deep rock holes during the wet season, and captive attempts typically rely on strong flow, soft acidic water, and tight cave spaces to trigger conditioning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLeporacanthicus cf. galaxias\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL340 Spinyhead Pleco (Galaxy\/Vampire Pleco)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon and Tocantins River Basins, Brazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-15 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-Aggressive (territorial towards other plecos)\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\u003e240L (120x45x45cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e350L+ with strong flow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22-26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.6-7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0-10 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOddball and South American river-biotope tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarger, robust South American fish that occupy the middle and upper water column, such as bigger tetras, larger cichlids, and other non-Loricariid catfish that won't compete for bottom territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther plecos or bottom-dwelling catfish, especially similarly patterned species, snails (which it will hunt and eat), and very small fish that may be seen as prey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55411436618019,"sku":"AA5700-S","price":430.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55411436650787,"sku":"AA5700-M","price":495.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55411436683555,"sku":"AA5700-L","price":570.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-25cm)","offer_id":55411436716323,"sku":"AA5700-XL","price":655.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/l340-pleco-leporacanthicus-cf-galaxias-3002856-600.jpg?v=1785804685","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/l340-spinyhead-pleco-leporacanthicus-cf-galaxias","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}