{"product_id":"l1-gold-dotted-pleco-pterygoplichthys-joselimaianus","title":"L1 Gold Dotted Pleco Pterygoplichthys Joselimaianus","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe L1 Gold Spot Pleco is a sailfin catfish covered in bright golden spots over a chocolate brown body, with a tall dorsal fin it raises when displaying. It comes from the Tocantins and Araguaia rivers of Brazil. A peaceful but large grazer, it suits keepers with a big tank and robust tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 30 cm (12 in) in aquaria; up to 40 cm wild\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–15 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Tocantins and Araguaia river basins, Brazil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow rivers and flooded margins with roots, driftwood and vegetation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, mostly herbivorous grazer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Algae wafers, courgette, cucumber, spinach, sinking pellets, occasional bloodworm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed nightly after lights out; blanched vegetables several times a week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Medium to large peaceful fish: larger tetras, barbs, gouramis, peaceful cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Other large plecos, very small fish, slow flat-bodied fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Peaceful and largely solitary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Guards its cave against other plecos and bottom dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate, due to size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Large adult size, heavy waste load, uproots plants and decor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, soft to moderately hard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 24–29°C (75–84°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 4–15 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 300 litres for an adult; larger and longer is better\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuveniles grow quickly, so plan for a tank at least 120 cm long with strong filtration and weekly water changes from the start. It is nocturnal and needs a cave or driftwood retreat; sand substrate protects its belly. Like other sailfins it can gulp air at the surface, which is normal. Sexes are hard to tell apart and aquarium breeding is rare. A rewarding long-lived fish with a proper home.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"5cm","offer_id":64680690614649,"sku":"STF-L1-GOLD-DOT-5cm","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10cm","offer_id":64680690647417,"sku":"STF-L1-GOLD-DOT-10cm","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/L1-Gold-dotted-Pleco-Pterygoplichthys-joselimaianus.png?v=1790097356","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/l1-gold-dotted-pleco-pterygoplichthys-joselimaianus","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}