Care
The Para Plec is a beautiful suckermouth catfish species suitable for large, mature softwater aquaria. In the wild, these shy bottom dwellers live amongst rocky substrates in fast flowing rivers and therefore require decent current and a good level of oxygenation within the aquarium. Provide plenty of hiding places amongst low, smooth, rocky caves and driftwood, and try to ensure that reasonable current flows through these shelters. Plants are not strictly necessary, although they may make the tank look more aesthetically pleasing; however try to choose robust species, preferably those that can be tied to wood and not uprooted by digging. A powerful filtration system is recommended as these fish, like other Loricariids, do tend to produce a fair amount of waste. Tankmates for the mid level of the tank, which will help encourage your plecs out into the open, could include good sized shoals of some of the small to medium sized tetras, plus they also get along very well with Brochis and Corydoras catfish who would share the substrate/lower levels. Para Plecs are generally very peaceable, but if keeping more than one in the same aquarium, do ensure that there is plenty of space and many hiding places to choose from (including several visual barriers amongst the decor) so that everyone is happy. Check that the fish have been rested after import and that they are feeding well before purchase, as they can sometimes be a little sensitive to the shipping process. There has been some degree of uncertainty about which genus this fish truly belongs in - it has been moved from Peckoltia, Ancistrus, and Ancistomus to Hemiancistrus then back to Peckoltia. The large geological distribution area and subtle variations in pattern/colour have, in the past, caused this species to be mistaken for different fish and it has been assigned different L-numbers, including L075, L124, L301, and LDA002.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Offer a variety of foodstuffs including sinking catfish pellets/granules/tablets/algae wafers and frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped krill etc as well as vegetable matter such as cucumber, courgette, squash, blanched spinach, kale, etc.
Breeding
This species has been bred in the home aquarium, but it is fairly challenging from the point of view that it can be difficult to obtain a compatible pair, especially when it is quite difficult to tell males and females apart. Para Plecs are said to be sexually mature at around 13cm in length. The best way forward is to acquire a group of several youngsters of the same size/age (hoping this will contain both sexes) and grow them on, observing for any signs of pairing. You should be able to see subtle differences in mature fish, such as those detailed above (see Sexual Dimorphism) plus also when female fish fill with eggs, their genital papillae will swell and become noticeably bigger/rounder compared to that of the males which is smaller and pointed. Male fish often become more dominant at feeding times too. Once you are confident that you can identify a pair, they should be carefully acclimatised across to a breeding aquarium that has been set up with matching water parameters. If left in the main tank, the male may become too preoccupied with other males over territories and suitable spawning partners, and breeding is very unlikely to take place. It is important that the breeding aquarium also has good water movement and a high level of oxygenation, and make certain that the breeding cave is placed in an area of moderate flow. The water temperature should be maintained at the higher end of the preferred range. Compared to many other Loricariids, Para Plecs are actually rather tender with one another when spawning. When ready to spawn, the male will gently coax the female into the cave, then he joins her side by side. As soon as they have spawned, the male exits the cave, allowing the female to leave, then moves back in to take up paternal care of the eggs. The eggs should hatch within 6-7 days (temperature dependent), and the resultant wrigglers will use up their extra-large yolk sac over the next 7-8 days, after which time they will become free-swimming and require feeding with suitable sinking foods such as pleco tablets and tiny frozen fare. The fry can be safely left in the tank alongside the adults, but many breeders prefer to move the adults back to the main aquarium, making it easier to feed and monitor the young on their own. It is essential that excellent water quality is maintained at all times, performing small-sized water changes little and often.
