AquaticRepublic.com - Leporacanthicus galaxias (Loricariidae) All Fishes

night-fright pattern
Close-up of mouth
Close-up of head of male
Close-up of head
Rio Nhamundá, Brazil
Rio Nhamundá, Brazil
Underwater: Rio Nhamundá, Brazil
Habitat: Rio Nhamundá, Brazil

All Fishes Data Sheet
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.
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.
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) Login to view the map.
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.
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.
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.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Look up L. galaxias on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up L. galaxias on Fishbase
	Look up L. galaxias on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up L. galaxias on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.64.138
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)