Aquatic Life Freshwater

Pseudacanthicus leopardus (L114; Fowler, 1914); Pseudacanthicus cf leopardus (L600);  occasionally classified as LDA7. Previously known as Stonelia leopardus.

Leopard pleco, cactus pleco, leopard cactus pleco. Glyptopericthys gibbiceps is also often referred to as leopard pleco or leopard sailfin pleco, which is confusing.

Loricariidae

L114: Rupununi river, Guyana. L600: unreported.

Loricariidae: from the Latin lorica (= corselet, alluring to the armoured thoracic area of the fish); Pseudacanthicus: from the Greek pseudo (= false) + acanthicus (meaning thorny, with spikes). Referring to the genus being similar to but not identical with Acanthicus.

L114: 25cm SL.

L600: 35cm TL

L114 (Pseudacanthicus leopardus) and L600 (Pseudacanthicus cf leopardus) are available as Pseudacanthicus leopardus. Recently Ingo Seidel suggested that the L114 and L600 are different fish (Back to Nature, Guide to L-catfishes, 2008, ISBN978-91-89258-11-2, p. 173). Planet catfish states that the fish referred to as L600 is "not recognised 'officially' as such by DATZ etc. It actually appeared in the December 1996 DATZ alongside L114. Wels Atlas II also equates this to L114."
There are different colour forms of the fish currently identified as L114; some are lighter (caramel, orange) some have a darker base (almost brown). The caudal fin can be orange or have speckles in the middle.The fish identified as L600 have darker colouration. In terms of body shape, the L114 individuals are smaller, more slender fish by comparison to these classified as L600 who are definitely more elongated and sturdier by comparison - looking almost identical to Pseudacanthicus spinosus (L160) in all but the colour.

The easiest way to sex these fish is to look at them from above. The females have a narrower head which is almost triangular at the snout, whilst the males have a wider head which is blunter at the snout. Adult males are more slender by comparison to the plumber females.

L114: Rupununi river (Guyana); Amazon basin and Rio Negro (Brazil).

L600: Rupununi river (Guyana); upper Rio Bianco (Brazil).

Reported for both types as 5.6 - 7.5. We have kept and bred the fish in more alcaline water (up to 8.2). We have observed better growth of the fish in black water conditions.

24° C - 30° C.   

Good filtration and excellent oxygenation is a must. The fish do very well in medium hard water. Fast flow is not required; a turnover of 3-4 times an hour is plenty. 

Popular opinion has it that this fish is extremely territorial and can be aggressive. We have observed one incident of aggression between two male conspecifics over a period of 4 years dealing with 14 fish. I have housed this fish with a number of large catfish (L24, L25, various Acanthicus, L160, L273 as well as with various panaques, baryancistrus etc. and I have never had an incident. Their fry have shared a grow out tank with Hypancistrus zebra - again, no nasty incidents. I would suggest that aggression varies with temperament, so some individuals may be more aggressive than others. In terms of 'personality' my L114 individuals are definitely much more timid fish than the L600. They prefer to hide (in fact I never see them in the open) as opposed to the much more extrovert L600 type. The fish can certainly stand up for themselves if need be but I would not house them with large aggressive or boisterous cichlids. I have kept mine with Heros efasciatus, Puntius denisonii and Paratilapia sp. "Andapa"; George is keeping his with Paretroplus damii, Paratilapia polleni and Parachromis loisellei.

Medium sized non aggressive cichlids will work a treat with one caveat: cichlids will attack the fry once they get out of the father's cave. They will not necessarily eat them but they will chase and hit them. If you are planning to breed the fish try barbs or other mid-water small fish. 

Rocks and wood are all well accepted. The fish are not bothered about plants. Fry prefer to hide in wood.  The fish are not particularly attracted to slate; all our males prefer clay caves.

This very much depends on the number of fish of the colony. I have kept mine in set ups ranging from 800-1200 lit. The tanks were built with housing Loricariids in mind, so the total water volume is due to the bottom being extra wide and long rather than the height of the tank. I would not keep this fish in anything less than 450 lit volume (150x60x50 - L x W x H). 

The fish are territorial with conspecifics if challenged, particularly during breeding. They will do well provided they all have suitable hiding places. They are not a difficult fish to keep; wild caught individuals get easily acclimatized. They react well to salt baths - should a need for such treatment arise. If they feel at home they will come out in the open and stay there. Youngsters prefer to hide for the first 5-6 months; following this they will start coming out in the open.

Cave spawners. For a breeding report see Breeding Pseudacanthicus leopardus.