All FishesLoricariidaeHypostominaeLeporacanthicus  |  | 

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Scientific Name Leporacanthicus galaxias  Isbrücker & Nijssen, 1989
Common Names L029, Galaxy Pleco
Ruesselzahnwels (Germany), Tocantins Galaksesugemalle (Denmark), Tusken Pleco, Vampire Pleco
Type Locality Rio Tocantins, Lagoa em frenta a Jacobal, Pará State, Brazil.
Pronunciation lepor ah KAN thi cuss - gah lax ee ass
Etymology Latin, lepus, leporis = rabbit + Greek, akantha = thorn. This specific epithet refers to its milky (galaxias=milky or milky way) white spots.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 211mm or 8.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification All Leporacanthicus spp. have a small backwards facing slightly proud blunt thorn-like plate on top of their heads.

L. galaxias (L029) is distinguished from L007 (L. cf. galaxias) by its lower dorsal fin, a longer snout and smaller spots.
Sexing Adult males have a much longer and broader head with small odontodes on the sides of head, more odontodes on pectoral fin spine and on the whole body, a bigger dorsal fin and normally a prettier coloration.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: southern tributaries of the middle and lower Amazon, Madeira, Tocantins and Guamá rivers; also known from the Ventuari River basin in the upper Orinoco drainage.
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Tocantins (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Madeira (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Guamá (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco, Upper Orinoco, Ventuari (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Lower Amazon, Nhamundá (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 5.6 - 7.0
Temperature 22.0-26.0°C or 71.6-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters This fish originates in fast flowing rapids so you should supply this fish with an oxygen rich strong current environment. I used powerhead driven UGFs with ventura style air / water mixing and an external bucket filter to keep this fish with sturdy medium sized Geophagus and Acaricthys cichlids which didn't mind the extra current too much.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Prawns and Snails are top of the menu, but the fish will learn to eat most off-the-shelf foods. User data.
Furniture Prefers bogwood and darker rocks. Not seen often during the day.
Compatibility Gets on with small lively catfish but avoid other larger bottom dwellers (unless space permits) due to the territorial disputes.
Suggested Tankmates Most small to medium community fish. Tetras and South American cichlids are ideal, unless you really go for it when providing a strong water current.
Breeding Has been accomplished but, sadly, not documented.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Die Aquarien- und Terrarienzeitschrift (DATZ) v. 42 (no. 9), pp 546, Figs 8-10, 13-15.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2022 Jan 13 12:54 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)