L066 KING TIGER PLECO 4cm

L066 King Tiger Pleco (Hypancistrus sp. L066) is a striking Rio Xingu (Brazil) catfish with a variable black wormline/scribble pattern on a pale grey, white, or yellowish base. It’s also sold as Gypsy King, Network, or Scribbled Pleco. Juveniles often show broader, higher-contrast lines; adults can look finer or slightly faded. They are peaceful with mid-water fish; territorial with other cave-dwellers. Nocturnal and shy by day; more active after lights out.

TANK SET UP: This is a warm, high-oxygen rapids fish: footprint and current matter more than a tall tank.

• Soft sand or fine, rounded gravel (protects barbels).

• Plenty of caves — at least one snug cave per fish (slate, terracotta pipes, commercial pleco caves). Males claim and defend them.

• Rocks, boulders, and driftwood for structure and broken sight lines.

• Hardy plants (Anubias, Java fern) are optional; they are not heavy plant-eaters.

Replicate a flowing, rocky stream rather than a planted still tank.

TANK MATE: Peaceful with tetras, rasboras, peaceful barbs, dwarf cichlids that like warm water, and Corydoras if there is enough bottom space. Territorial with other plecos and similar cave species.

SEXING: Males: broader head, longer odontodes on pectorals and cheeks. Females: fuller body when viewed from above.

FILTRATION: Strong filtration (around 4–5× turnover) plus extra flow/oxygen mimics its river habitat.

MAINTENANCE: Weekly 30–50% water changes. Keep ammonia and nitrite at 0 and nitrates low.

FEEDING: Hypancistrus are more carnivorous than typical “algae eater” plecos. Adults especially prefer protein.

• Daily/regular: quality sinking carnivore pellets or wafers (Repashy-style gels work well).

• Frozen/live: bloodworms, brine shrimp, chopped mussel or prawn.

• Occasional: blanched zucchini, cucumber, or peas (juveniles take more veg than adults).

• They will graze on some biofilm/wood but do not live on algae wafers alone.

Feed after lights-out or in the evening so they get their share.