L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco 3.5cm

L397 Alenquer Tiger Pleco (Peckoltia sp. L397)

A striking fancy pleco from the Alenquer region of the Amazon, prized for its bold orange-tan and black tiger-striped patterning. A smaller, manageable L-number with plenty of personality, it makes a colourful showpiece for well-maintained aquariums with driftwood and caves.

Care at a Glance:

• Minimum Tank Size: 100L+ with driftwood, caves, and clean, well-oxygenated water
• Temperature: 25–28°C
• pH Range: 6.0–7.5
• Water Hardness: Soft to moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful, but can be territorial with other plecos over caves
• Diet: Omnivore leaning carnivore — meaty foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, sinking carnivore wafers), driftwood biofilm, occasional vegetable matter
• Max Size: 12–15cm
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Care Level: Moderate (requires clean water, meaty diet, and driftwood to graze on)

Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish of similar size — tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful rainbowfish. Avoid housing with other bottom-dwelling plecos in smaller tanks to prevent territorial disputes over caves.

Origin: South America — Rio Amazon near Alenquer, Brazil