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Freshwater fishL-201 Snowball Pleco
L-201 Snowball Pleco
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The L-201 inspector pleco is also known as the L-102 inspector pleco, or the snowball pleco. Sometimes these plecos are confused by collectors in the wild with the L-48 and vice versa, but the inspector plecos have darker bodies and larger spots and do not grow quite as large as the L-48 mustard spot plecos.
The snowball pleco has a deep black body and bold white, sometimes yellowish, large dots on the body. They are great scavengers and only grow to five inches, so these are great additions to most freshwater fish tanks.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Hypancistrus inspector / H. contradens (L-102 / L-201) |
| Origin | Rio Negro and Casiquiare (Venezuela, Brazil) |
| Care Level | Moderate (needs clean, warm, oxygen-rich water) |
| Temperament | Peaceful (shy; territorial with other plecos) |
| Adult Size | Up to 5–6" |
| Lifespan | 10–15+ years |
| Diet | Omnivore (meaty sinking foods) |
| Water Temperature | 78–86°F |
| pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Group Size | Single, or several with a cave each |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 3" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: These plecos come from warm, fast, clear rivers. Give them a tank with strong current, high oxygen, very clean water, rocky caves (or pleco caves) and a sand or smooth gravel bottom.
Feeding: Feed meaty sinking foods like quality carnivore pellets, ideally in the evening when they are most active. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Tankmates: They do well with peaceful fish that like warm water, such as tetras, rasboras, discus and dwarf cichlids. Avoid boisterous tankmates that outcompete them for food, and give each pleco its own cave.
Good to know: These plecos are nocturnal and shy; a cave and dim lighting help them feel secure. Many are wild-caught and slow-growing.
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