L114 Leopard Cactus Pleco
L114 Leopard Cactus Pleco (Pseudacanthicus cf. leopardus)
Native Location: Brazil
Climate: Tropical
Maximum Size: 25.5 cm(10 inches)
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Breeding: Difficult
Temperature Range: 24 – 30℃ (78 – 82℉)
Preferred pH Range: 5.5 – 7.5
Minimum Aquarium Size: 340L (90 gallons)
Potential Tankmates: Omnivorous plecos
Care Level: Intermediate
Leopard Cactus are nocturnal bottom-dwelling sucker catfish that will grow to a large size and it will be entertaining to watch them explore the bottom of your aquarium every chance they get.
Leopard Cactus will enjoy a varied diet of small, live invertebrates, frozen foods and sinking pellets. And although classed as omnivores, they are primary meat-eaters. In the wild using their strong teeth to pry open snail shells and grasp pieces of fish and worms. Leopard Cactus will do well with tankmates of a similar size, who enjoy occupying higher levels in your tank, so they bump into each other less. Also, avoid aggressive species. Alongside the sheer size Leopard Cactus can reach, they also create high volumes of waste, so you will need a quality filtration system to keep up and manage the water conditions of your aquarium. Conduct regular water changes.
These plecos prefer subdued lighting, and floating plants will help manage the light reaching the bottom of the tank and keep it at a minimum. But they need a lot of open space, so a heavily planted aquarium may not be ideal. Try décor such as wood, rocks, caves or even PVC pipes to provide hiding places. A sand substrate is best for these bottom-dwellers. With age, some Leopard Cactus, usually males, can develop an aggressive, territorial nature, so you will need to keep either one male with multiple females or have enough room in your tank to accommodate two territorial males comfortably.
Both sexes are very similar physically, however females spines and fins are more pronounced. As cave spawners, Leopard Cactus are relatively difficult to spawn in a home aquarium, as they dig out their caves in river banks and make a nest for their eggs. Males will take on the parental role once eggs have been laid and even go as far as to chase away the female.
