L183 pleco water requirements?

[Gudgie]

Alright fellow Fishlorians, I’m turning to you for advice once again. I’m about to get a couple of juvenile L183 starlight plecos, and I have some questions on their care since I’ve seen a huge range of info about them online. Some places suggest 79-84F temp, others 73-80F, etc. Similarly, I’ve seen pH anywhere from acidic to mid-7. And black water versus not.

In your own experience, what sort of temp, pH, and hardness have you have good luck with? Trying to figure out what, if anything, I need to tweak. These were tankbred at least (F1 generation), so I’m hoping they’ll be relatively adaptable to tank conditions.

jmaldo - looks like you might have experience with these guys?

 

[BigManAquatics]

Around 80 seems pretty good. Other than that, i would imagine they should adapt to pH and whatnot.

 

[DoubleDutch]

Ancistrus dolichopterus • Loricariidae • Cat-eLog

Pretty accurate site

 

[jmaldo]

Got mine Jan 2020 about 1/2" in length, they around 4" now at 2.5 years young Raised them in temp 78' pH 7.6-8 medium hard water. Some research, hard to find info it appears I may have a pair, still unsure. I just moved them to a 20Long all to themselves, except for a Mystery snail and a few ramshorns.
Just tried the link DoubleDutch mentioned but unable to sign in.
Anyway here are a couple of pics..






Based on the limited info I have found, I may consider a lower pH and slowly convert to a blackwater tank still unsure?

Good Luck!

 

[DoubleDutch]

Got mine Jan 2020 about 1/2" in length, they around 4" now at 2.5 years young Raised them in temp 78' pH 7.6-8 medium hard water. Some research, hard to find info it appears I may have a pair, still unsure. I just moved them to a 20Long all to themselves, except for a Mystery snail and a few ramshorns.
Just tried the link DoubleDutch mentioned but unable to sign in.
Anyway here are a couple of pics..

View attachment 836894
View attachment 836895

View attachment 836896

Based on the limited info I have found, I may consider a lower pH and slowly convert to a blackwater tank still unsure?

Good Luck!

Source Planet catfish

 

[Gudgie]

Source Planet catfish

Got mine Jan 2020 about 1/2" in length, they around 4" now at 2.5 years young Raised them in temp 78' pH 7.6-8 medium hard water. Some research, hard to find info it appears I may have a pair, still unsure. I just moved them to a 20Long all to themselves, except for a Mystery snail and a few ramshorns.
Just tried the link DoubleDutch mentioned but unable to sign in.

Based on the limited info I have found, I may consider a lower pH and slowly convert to a blackwater tank still unsure?

Good Luck!

I'd seen the Planet Catfish info, and right now the growout tank they're in certainly meets their suggested conditions. Temp is around 79F, and pH is 6.4-6.6. But I'm glad that longterm, there's been success keeping them at a higher pH (at least when not breeding). My main tanks tend to be 7.4 or so, which I'll likely transition them to eventually unless trying to breed.

 

[jmaldo]

Here are some links I have found, will need to translate...
Ancistrus dolichopterus L183 | loricariidae
https://www.l-welse.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/197/cat/all
https://www.datz.de/images/stories/...84 - Ancistrus-Arten aus Brasilien 1994-9.pdf

Good Luck!