L236 (RB Line) Super White Pleco

The L236 Super White Pleco, or Hypancistrus sp. L236, is a stunning and popular freshwater fish known for its striking white and black patterns. To ensure your pleco thrives, it's essential to replicate its natural habitat and provide proper care.

Tank Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 20-30 gallons is recommended for a single L236, as they can grow to about 5 inches in length. If you plan to keep a colony or other tank mates, a 75-gallon tank is a better choice to prevent territorial disputes.

• Substrate: A sandy or fine-gravel substrate is ideal. This is because plecos like to sift through the substrate, and a smooth bottom prevents damage to their delicate undersides.

• Decorations: These plecos are nocturnal and prefer to hide. Provide plenty of hiding spots with caves, driftwood, and rocks. Driftwood is particularly important as it provides an essential food source (biofilm and wood fiber) and a sense of security.

• Lighting: L236 plecos prefer moderate, indirect, or subdued lighting. They will be more active and feel safer in a tank with plenty of shaded areas.

• Filtration and Water Flow: A powerful filtration system is crucial to maintain excellent water quality. A canister filter or a large hang-on-back filter is recommended. These plecos also appreciate moderate to strong water flow, which can be achieved with a good filter and/or a powerhead.

Water Parameters

Maintaining stable, high-quality water is the most important aspect of L236 pleco care.

• Temperature: 77-86°F (25-30°C)

• pH: 6.5-7.5.

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (4-12 dGH).

• Water Quality:

  • Ammonia: 0 ppm

  • Nitrite: 0 ppm

  • Nitrate: Below 20 ppm

• Water Changes: Perform weekly water changes of 20-30% to keep the water clean and stable.

Diet

Unlike some pleco species, L236 Super White plecos are primarily omnivorous with a preference for protein-rich foods.They are not effective algae eaters.

• Staple Diet: High-quality sinking pellets and wafers designed for omnivorous or carnivorous plecos. I feed mine a lot of Vitalis foods.

• Protein Sources: Supplement their diet with protein-rich foods like frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, and other small, meaty foods.

• Vegetables: While they prefer protein, they also benefit from plant matter. You can offer blanched vegetables like zucchini and cucumber a few times a week.

• Feeding Schedule: Feed them once or twice a day, offering only as much food as they can consume within a few minutes to prevent overfeeding and water quality issues. Since they are slower eaters, ensure that food reaches the bottom of the tank and is not outcompeted by faster fish.

Tank Mates

L236 plecos are peaceful and reclusive. They do well in a community tank with small to medium-sized, non-aggressive fish.

• Good tank mates: Tetras, rasboras, and other small, peaceful catfish.

• Fish to avoid: Large, aggressive fish or species that may outcompete them for food. It is also best to avoid keeping more than one male L236 in a tank unless it is very large with many hiding spots, as they can be territorial with their own kind.

Health and Lifespan

• Lifespan: With proper care, L236 plecos can live for many years.

• Common Health Issues: They are susceptible to common fish diseases like Ich, which can be a result of poor water quality. Regularly monitoring water parameters, providing a balanced diet, and keeping the tank clean are the best preventive measures.