Tiger pleco (L002)
Panaqolus sp. L002
Also known as L002, Tiger Peckoltia, Tiger Plec
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–84°F
- 25–29°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.1 in
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- 150 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Origin
- Rio Tocantins in Para, Brazil.
Overview
The tiger pleco (L002) is a small, striped wood eater for a community tank with plenty of driftwood. It is best with a little experience.
Did you know
The tiger pleco's stripes are boldest on young fish. They often blur or break into a busier pattern as the fish matures.
Caring for the tiger pleco (L002)
Give a tiger pleco (L002) a tank of at least 40 gal (150 L), with driftwood and caves. Keep the water moving and well oxygenated, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
Its gut is built for wood and fiber. It rasps driftwood and digests the biofilm and fiber, so submerged wood is part of its diet rather than just decor. Keep soft wood on hand at all times. Feed sinking wood-based and vegetable pellets and blanched zucchini, with only occasional protein.
The tiger pleco is fairly peaceful and safe with community tank mates. It is a solitary fish, territorial around its favored log or cave. Breeding it is of moderate difficulty.
Good to know
The tiger pleco is traded as L002 and remains undescribed. It is sometimes mixed up with the described species Panaqolus tankei (L398). It carries bold dark tiger bands over a lighter body. Panaqolus are the small wood-eating cousins of the big royal plecos.
In the wild
The tiger pleco (L002) lives in clear, fast, rocky waters of the Rio Tocantins in Para, Brazil, among plenty of sunken wood.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The tiger pleco (L002) is a mostly 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.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
Golden curimata
Cyphocharax multilineatus
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Yoyo loach
Botia almorhae
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)66–81°F (19–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a tiger pleco (L002) need?
A tiger pleco (L002) needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a tiger pleco (L002) need?
A tiger pleco (L002) is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a tiger pleco (L002) eat?
A tiger pleco (L002) eats wood, rasping driftwood and digesting the biofilm and fiber. Feed it sinking wood-based and vegetable pellets and blanched zucchini as well, with only occasional protein.
How big does a tiger pleco (L002) get?
An adult tiger pleco (L002) reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
Related species
5.1 in (13 cm)40 gal (150 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Flash pleco (L204)
Panaqolus albivermis
5.1 in (13 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (112 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)Nocturnal panaqolus
Panaqolus nocturnus
4.7 in (12 cm) · 30 gal (112 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)Clown pleco
Panaqolus maccus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
5.5 in (14 cm)53 gal (200 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Galaxy panaqolus
Panaqolus albomaculatus
5.5 in (14 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Iquitos tiger pleco
Panaqolus changae
3.9 in (10 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)42 gal (160 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Bloodred tiger pleco
Panaqolus claustellifer
3.1 in (8 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)