{"product_id":"l600-cactus-pleco-pseudacanthicus-sp-l600","title":"L600 Cactus Pleco | Pseudacanthicus sp. L600","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L600 Leopard Cactus Pleco is a spiny, red-finned showpiece and a serious commitment — bold, carnivorous, territorial, and reaching a substantial 30–35 cm. This is a statement L-number for the dedicated big-tank keeper, not a community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L600 comes from the warm, fast-flowing and rocky Rio Tocantins in Brazil, where powerful \u003cem\u003ePseudacanthicus\u003c\/em\u003e shelter among boulders in clean, highly oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA muscular, armour-plated pleco covered in sharp spiny odontodes, patterned with dark leopard spotting over a grey body and finished with striking red-edged fins. Genuinely imposing at full size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTerritorial and, as it matures, often boisterous and aggressive — especially towards other plecos and any fish of similar shape. It can coexist with robust, non-bottom-dwelling tankmates given ample space, but expect it to defend its patch vigorously. Best kept as the only large pleco in the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Offer meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, chopped fish, bloodworms and quality carnivore pellets and wafers, with some vegetable matter to balance the diet. A big, messy eater that demands powerful filtration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeeds a very large tank with clean, warm, highly oxygenated water and strong flow, plus large caves and rockwork for territory. A long-lived, long-term commitment — plan filtration and tank size for an adult of 30–35 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner, though rarely bred at home given its size. Pairs spawn in large caves where the male guards the eggs; commercial breeding uses spacious, high-flow systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePseudacanthicus sp. L600 (P. cf. leopardus)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eL600 Leopard Cactus Pleco\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRio Tocantins, Brazil (South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 30–35 cm\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\u003eTerritorial; aggressive to 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\u003e450 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (meaty foods + some vegetables)\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\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–15 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\u003eAdvanced keepers with very large, well-filtered 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 — will not eat plants, though its size and digging disturb aquascapes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust, larger midwater fish that stay out of its territory — larger characins, bigger barbs, and peaceful-but-sturdy cichlids in a spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther plecos and similar-shaped bottom-dwellers, small or delicate fish, and any tank without room for a 30 cm+ territorial adult.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232803242275,"sku":"AA2381-S","price":290.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232803275043,"sku":"AA2381","price":335.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232803307811,"sku":"AA2381-L","price":385.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351965712675,"sku":"AA2381-XL","price":445.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/l600-cactus-pleco-pseudacant-43885923402019.webp?v=1790306096","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/l600-cactus-pleco-pseudacanthicus-sp-l600","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}