Mustard Pleco L031

Like most cave-spawning Loricariids, this mustard-yellow L-number pleco relies on a male claiming a tight cave or pipe, guarding a clutch of eggs fanned continuously with his fins until they hatch — a very different reproductive strategy than open-substrate spawners, and part of why breeding success in home tanks often comes down to providing the right size cave rather than anything else.

Care level: Moderate · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~5" · Min tank: 30 gal · Diet: Omnivore, algae wafers + occasional protein