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Freshwater fishL-204 Emperor Pleco
L-204 Emperor Pleco
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The emperor pleco earns the name from the crown pattern on its face. The bright, thin lines throughout the body make the L-204 a very attractive bottom dweller. This catfish only grows to six inches and gets along with nearly every freshwater fish. The pleco pictured is a rarer white variation, which sometimes comes in; generally most lines are gold.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Panaqolus sp. (L-204) |
| Origin | Peru |
| Care Level | Easy to moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful (territorial with other plecos) |
| Adult Size | Up to 5–6" |
| Lifespan | 10–12+ years |
| Diet | Herbivore (driftwood, algae wafers) |
| Water Temperature | 75–82°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Group Size | Single, or several with a cave each |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 3" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: These small plecos rasp and digest wood, so driftwood is essential, not just decoration. Give them caves, driftwood and good filtration, since wood-eaters produce a lot of waste.
Feeding: Feed algae wafers and sinking pellets, and always keep driftwood in the tank, since they rasp on it as part of their diet.
Tankmates: They get along with most peaceful community fish. Keep only one per cave, since plecos can be territorial with each other.
Good to know: Wood-eating plecos produce fine "wood dust" waste, which is normal.
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