Scientific Name: Hypancistrus inspector
Common Name: Snowball Pleco
Adult Size: 5.5 - 6.5 inches
Life Expectancy: 10+ years
Habitat: Venezuela
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallon
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 72 - 86°F
- pH Range: 5.0 - 7.6
- Water Hardness: 6 - 10
Temperament: Very peaceful species that will get along well with tropical community fish and cichlids. They will squabble with other similar sized Pleco's and bottom feeders if not given enough room to establish a suitable territory. These territorial battles tend not to be too violent.
Diet & Nutrition: Omnivorous, they will eat a variety of plant material and meaty food they find in the aquarium. Their diet should be supplemented with algae wafers, blanched peas, bloodworms, brine shrimp, cucumber, daphnia, sinking pellets, spinach and zucchini.
Breeding and Spawning: Pleco species lay eggs and spawn on the side of artificial caves. The female will lay her eggs in the cave. Then the male takes over, protecting the eggs and fanning them. It takes about a week for the eggs to hatch. The fry’s first food will be the egg sac, and after that, offer them baby brine shrimp and small bits of blanched vegetables.
Gender: Females are more rounded than males. Also, males have a noticeable reddish tone and more pronounced odontodes (external teeth) on the side of their head.
