TankBud

Orinoco angel pleco (L201)

Hypancistrus sp. L201

Also known as L201, Snowball Pleco, Orinoco Snowball

FreshwaterFish

Orinoco angel pleco (L201) (Hypancistrus sp. L201)

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F
26–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
30 gal
115 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Upper Rio Orinoco in Venezuela.

Overview

The Orinoco angel pleco (L201) is a striking, mid-size pleco for a peaceful community tank. It asks for a little more experience than a beginner fish.

Did you know

The Orinoco angel pleco (L201) is sometimes called snowball, a name it shares with L102, Hypancistrus inspector. The shared name causes constant mix-ups at the shop, so hobbyists often add Orinoco angel to tell them apart. L201 has bigger, rounder white spots and a slimmer body than the true snowball.

Caring for the Orinoco angel pleco (L201)

An Orinoco angel pleco (L201) needs a tank of at least 30 gal (115 L), with caves to hide in. Keep the water warm, clean and well oxygenated, at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Give it some flow as well.

It is a carnivore, like other Hypancistrus, and does not graze algae. Feed a protein-forward diet of sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and gel foods, with only occasional vegetable matter.

Orinoco angel plecos are often kept in small groups, though one does fine alone. They are mostly peaceful but territorial around caves, so provide one hide per fish. Breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The Orinoco angel pleco is an undescribed Hypancistrus in the family Loricariidae, traded as L201. Its black body is covered in large, round white polka dots. It grows a little larger than most spotted Hypancistrus.

In the wild

The Orinoco angel pleco lives in warm, rocky, fast-flowing stretches of the upper Rio Orinoco in Venezuela. It hides in stone crevices during the day and feeds on insect larvae and small invertebrates.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Orinoco angel pleco (L201) is a mostly peaceful, social 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an Orinoco angel pleco (L201) need?

An Orinoco angel pleco (L201) needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an Orinoco angel pleco (L201) need?

An Orinoco angel pleco (L201) is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an Orinoco angel pleco (L201) eat?

An Orinoco angel pleco (L201) is a carnivore. Feed it sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and gel foods, with only occasional vegetable matter.

How big does an Orinoco angel pleco (L201) get?

An adult Orinoco angel pleco (L201) reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

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