All fish / Loricariidae

Pseudacanthicus major

Pseudacanthicus major

Also known as l273, l-273, titanic pleco, titanic cactus pleco, giant cactus pleco, pseudacanthicus sp. l273, L273

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This is a large, heavily armoured pleco with a dark grey to brown body, rough spiny plates and long filaments trailing from the tail tips. Hobbyists who collect big loricariids keep it as an impressive centrepiece for very large tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

40 cm

Temperature

26 to 31 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

800 litres

Keep as

Keep one; adults are very territorial towards other bottom dwellers

Diet

Carnivore: mussels, prawns, fish fillet, sinking carnivore pellets and frozen bloodworm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: lower Tocantins River basin

Breeding

Like other Pseudacanthicus, it spawns in caves, and the male guards the eggs. Captive breeding is rare because so few people can provide the space needed for adults.

Good to know

It grows big and turns aggressive towards other catfish, so it needs a very large tank with strong flow and plenty of oxygen. Juveniles are often sold mixed up with other L-number cactus plecos.