Wolverine pleco
Hopliancistrus wolverine
Also known as L017, Flat head pleco
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 81–88°F
- 27–31°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.2
- Adult size
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal
- 250 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Origin
- Rio Xingu, Brazil
Overview
The Wolverine pleco is a flat, stocky slab-dweller that clings to stone in strong current. It is a step up from the easiest fish.
Did you know
Science borrowed the Wolverine pleco's comic-book nickname on purpose and made it the formal species name. Like its namesake, it can unsheathe hooked spines from its cheeks.
Caring for the Wolverine pleco
Give a Wolverine pleco a tank of at least 66 gal (250 L) with plenty of stone. Stack smooth stone into caves and crevices over a sand floor.
It is a hot, fast-water fish, so strong, well-oxygenated flow is essential. Keep the water soft to neutral, at 81 to 88°F (27 to 31°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. It wants warmer water than most plecos do.
It comes out to graze in the evening. Feed it a varied diet with a good share of protein, such as sinking pellets and frozen bloodworm, plus some vegetable.
Keep it singly or as a pair, since it defends its spot under the rock from other plecos. It is peaceful with tank mates and suits a warm community of sturdy fish. Net it with care, because it can lock stiff spines out from its cheeks and snag in the mesh. It has been bred in aquariums only rarely, by keepers able to give it hot, fast water.
Good to know
Hopliancistrus wolverine belongs to the family Loricariidae and was described in 2021. It is a broad, flat-headed catfish marked with small yellow dots.
In the wild
The Wolverine pleco comes from the Rio Xingu in Brazil, a hot, clear, fast-flowing river. There it wedges itself under and between slabs of rock.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Wolverine pleco is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Largescale four-eyed fish
Anableps anableps
FreshwaterBrackish11.8 in (30 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)77–88°F (25–31°C)
Slender hemiodus
Hemiodus gracilis
Freshwater7.1 in (18 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Orinoco cupid cichlid
Biotodoma wavrini
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Banded silver dollar
Metynnis fasciatus
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Clown loach
Chromobotia macracanthus
Freshwater11.8 in (30 cm) · 75 gal (285 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Wolverine pleco need?
A Wolverine pleco needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Wolverine pleco need?
A Wolverine pleco is comfortable at 81–88°F (27–31°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
What does a Wolverine pleco eat?
A Wolverine pleco eats a varied diet with a good share of protein, such as sinking pellets and frozen bloodworm. Give it some vegetable as well. It comes out to graze in the evening.
How big does a Wolverine pleco get?
An adult Wolverine pleco reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
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