{"product_id":"l333-king-tiger-pleco","title":"L333 King Tiger Pleco [ 3 cm to 4 cm ]","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHypancistrus Plecos – Care Guide \u0026amp; Aquarium Companions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHypancistrus are highly attractive freshwater plecos known for their bold patterns, compact body shape and interesting cave-dwelling behaviour. The genus includes many popular aquarium varieties and L-numbers, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZebra Plecos, King Tiger Plecos and several spotted and striped varieties\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are especially popular among pleco collectors because of their striking appearance and manageable size compared with many larger pleco species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA minimum of around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60–100 litres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is suitable for many smaller Hypancistrus species. Larger groups or larger varieties should be provided with additional space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenerally \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e26°C – 30°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH Range:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6.0 – 7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Setup:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHypancistrus prefer warm, clean and well-oxygenated aquariums with plenty of caves and hiding spaces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA suitable setup should include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMultiple caves\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRocks and smooth stones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDriftwood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong filtration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood water circulation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh oxygen levels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShaded hiding areas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClean and stable water\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProviding at least one suitable cave per fish is recommended, particularly when keeping multiple males.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike many commonly kept plecos, Hypancistrus should \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot be considered primarily algae-eating fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany species prefer a more protein-rich diet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable foods include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh-quality sinking pleco pellets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProtein-rich sinking foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBloodworms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrine shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKrill\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChopped shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMussel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrozen foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOccasional vegetable-based foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA varied diet helps maintain good growth, strong body condition and colour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Temperament\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHypancistrus are generally peaceful toward fish that occupy the middle and upper areas of the aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, males can become territorial toward other plecos, particularly when competing for caves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProviding plenty of caves, hiding places and separate territories can greatly reduce aggression.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are generally more active during the evening and night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable Tank Companions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHypancistrus can usually be kept with:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTetras • Rasboras • Corydoras • Rams • Rainbowfish • Peaceful Barbs • Danios and other peaceful community fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther plecos can also be kept with them in larger aquariums, provided there are enough caves and feeding areas.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChoose tank companions that are comfortable with the warmer water temperatures preferred by Hypancistrus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid highly aggressive bottom-dwelling fish that may constantly compete with them for territory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany Hypancistrus are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecave spawners\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe male usually occupies and guards a suitable cave. After spawning, the male remains inside the cave and protects and fans the eggs until they hatch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProviding appropriately sized breeding caves, excellent water quality and a nutritious diet can encourage breeding behaviour. Zebra Plecos are a well-documented example of this male cave-guarding behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDifferent Hypancistrus species and L-numbers can vary considerably in adult size, pattern, temperament and care requirements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor example, the well-known \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e reaches only around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while other Hypancistrus varieties may grow larger.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlways identify the exact species or L-number whenever possible before selecting aquarium size and tank companions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith warm, highly oxygenated water, plenty of caves, excellent filtration and a protein-rich varied diet, Hypancistrus plecos can become some of the most attractive and rewarding fish in a specialised freshwater aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HS Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51859856589033,"sku":"PLE-00048","price":1999.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/9637\/2457\/files\/images-2026-09-27T200137.838.jpg?v=1790519508","url":"https:\/\/hsaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/l333-king-tiger-pleco","provider":"HS Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}