It is astonishing that this strikingly colored catfish from the Rio Tapajós in Brazil (state of Para) has not yet been scientifically recorded. Since 1998 it has carried the L-number 260 and since then has also been one of the regularly imported and bred L-catfish.
There are great similarities to L411 from the Rio Jari. Unfortunately, almost all L-catfish interbreed under aquarium conditions (there have even been reports of hybrids between H. zebra L46 and L260). You should therefore pay attention to species purity when putting together breeding groups. Otherwise there is a risk that aquarium strains – i.e. breeding forms – will be created and the original species will die out in the hobby. In view of the dramatic worldwide extinction of species (private animal husbandry is not responsible at all for this, just as an aside), we should try to avoid this.
Keeping L260 is easy. This omnivorous fish grows up to approx. 12 cm long and is considered to be relatively tolerant, both of each other and of other species. On the whole, the care of this species can be equated with that of the well-known Aquarium-Ancistrus, although L260 is less tolerant of poor water conditions. However, there are two important differences: L260 likes it warmer (26-30°C) and L260 hardly eats algae or other plant material. However, experienced keepers swear by raw potato pieces as supplementary food. This food can remain in the aquarium all day and is eaten with pleasure. This food has proved to be very effective, especially with somewhat lean wild-caught fish, in order to replenish them quickly.
For our customers: the animals have 26480-L 260-2 (6-8 cm) on our stock list. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
