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L236 White Line Tiger Pleco
Hypancistrus sp. L236
📍 South America
The L236 White Line Tiger Pleco is a stunning small pleco species featuring bold white stripes against a dark body, making it a prized addition to planted and specialized aquariums. This nocturnal bottom-dweller requires excellent water quality and plenty of hiding spaces to thrive. It is moderately difficult to care for and demands specific water parameters and a well-established tank.
Care Guide
Diet
Feed high-quality sinking pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber 3-4 times weekly. Supplement with driftwood for natural grazing and wood consumption. Occasional protein sources like bloodworms or small crustaceans can be offered once weekly.
Behavior
The L236 is primarily nocturnal and spends most of the day hidden among driftwood, caves, and dense vegetation. It is a peaceful bottom-feeder that grazes on algae and biofilm but rarely interacts with other fish. This species is relatively inactive during daylight hours but becomes more active during evening and night.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. Males are territorial and require isolated caves for spawning. Successful breeding requires pristine water conditions, specific temperature fluctuations, and high-quality nutrition; most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful fish that occupy different water zones and do not compete for food
Similar algae-eating habits and peaceful temperament; compatible bottom-dwellers
Peaceful invertebrates that share algae-grazing behavior without direct competition
Small, non-aggressive fish that occupy mid-water zones and ignore bottom-dwelling plecos
Peaceful mid-water dweller that does not compete for pleco food sources
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Increase water temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication; maintain excellent water quality
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Perform frequent water changes, improve water quality, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure adequate hiding spaces to reduce stress
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading, torn fins
Isolate affected fish, perform daily water changes, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication; maintain pristine water parameters
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, weight loss, white or gray patches on skin, lethargy
Use anti-parasitic medication, increase water changes, improve tank conditions; quarantine if possible to prevent spread
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - primarily algae wafers, driftwood, and vegetables with occasional protein
- lifespan
- 8-12 years
- max size
- 9 cm (3.5 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 4-8 dGH
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)