{"product_id":"leopard-cactus-pleco-pseudacanthicus-leopardus","title":"Leopard Cactus Pleco (Pseudacanthicus leopardus)","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeopard Cactus Pleco\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePseudacanthicus leopardus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) is a stunning and highly sought-after pleco, admired for its striking leopard-like pattern, impressive size, and bold personality. With its beautifully marked body and powerful appearance, this species makes a spectacular centrepiece for larger aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative to fast-flowing rivers in South America, the Leopard Cactus Pleco thrives in aquariums with excellent water quality, strong filtration, and plenty of oxygenation. Provide driftwood, rocks, and caves to create secure hiding places, as this species enjoys establishing its own territory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile generally peaceful with similarly sized fish, mature males can become territorial towards other bottom-dwelling plecos, particularly in smaller aquariums. They are best housed with medium to large community fish or South American cichlids in spacious aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeopard Cactus Plecos are omnivores with a preference for meaty foods. Offer a varied diet of high-quality sinking carnivore pellets, algae wafers, frozen bloodworms, mussels, prawns, krill, and other protein-rich foods. They will also graze on vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber but require a diet higher in protein than many other pleco species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy We Like This Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStunning leopard-like patterning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImpressive centrepiece for larger aquariums\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardy and long-lived when properly cared for\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnique personality and fascinating behaviour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent choice for large South American aquarium displays\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Tank Parameters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 25–30°C\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2–12 dGH\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 450 litres\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreferred Setup:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plenty of caves, driftwood, rocks, strong filtration, and moderate to high water flow.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Omnivore with a carnivorous preference – sinking pellets, frozen foods, shellfish, algae wafers, and fresh vegetables.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Peaceful to semi-aggressive, particularly towards other plecos.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSocial Behaviour:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Best kept singly or with other large bottom-dwellers only in very spacious aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Native to the Amazon Basin, South America.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 30–35 cm.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bottom.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Suitable with larger tetras, silver dollars, Severums, Geophagus, peaceful cichlids, bichirs, and other robust community fish. Avoid housing with multiple similar pleco species unless the aquarium provides ample space and territories.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease note: Sample photos are for reference only. Colour, pattern, and size may vary slightly as each fish is unique.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Top Fin Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43766921265226,"sku":null,"price":179.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0594\/4436\/3338\/files\/l114leopardcactuspleco.webp?v=1782984662","url":"https:\/\/www.topfinaquatics.co.nz\/products\/leopard-cactus-pleco-pseudacanthicus-leopardus","provider":"Top Fin Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}