▷ L333 – Bengal tiger catfish | All information and details

Datasheet L333 – Bengal tiger catfish

German name:
Bengal tiger catfish

Scientific name:
Hypancistrus spec.

Origin:
Rio Xingu in Brazil’s north

Size:
Body length of 13 – 15 cm

Aquarium

Length:
Length 100 cm width and 40 cm width

Contents:
From 160 liters

water values

Temperature:
27°- 30° C

pH:
5.5 – 7.5

GH:
0°-20° dGH

Behave

Area:
Floor

Lining:
Dry food, frozen food, live food, mussel meat

Behave:
peaceful, not shy when kept well

Number:
Schooling fish, groups of 8 – 10 or more

Difficulty level:
Beginner fish, easy breeding

Posture recommendation

© Bracht van Hoeymissen / L333 Catfish

The beautifully marked Hypancistrus spec. bears the German name Königstiger-Harnischwels.

The color of its stripes varies from white to orange to tan, depending on which section of the Rio Xingu it comes from. The drawing itself is individual, which is why the animals can be distinguished.

The catfish are quite large with a length of up to 15 cm, but are peaceful and both in pairs and in groups to keep. For a group, the aquarium should have a size of at least 160 cm edge length due to the size of the animals. It also recommend several feeding stationsso that the male catfish do not get in each other’s enclosure.

They live on the ground and appreciate one rather dark environment with many places to hide. Dark sand is ideal, but depending on the color of the sand, the color of the catfish can adapt. In addition, many caves, clay or stone slabs and root hiding places, as they like to hide, especially during the day. Floating plants also help darken the aquarium. The catfish are crepuscular and seen more frequently in shady tanks.

The Hypancistrus spec. is omnivorous and eats dry food in all dosage forms as well as frozen food, mussel meat and live food such as Artemia. Vegetables are only eaten by young animals, fortunately the same applies to the planting in the aquarium.

The animals do not make any great demands on the water, assuming good water quality through sensible filters and regular water changes.

The L333 Wels needs additional current not. Even if his home river has many rapids, he prefers the aquarium quiet areas.

The water should be adapted to its original habitat and rather sour and warm be. A soft to medium water hardness is fine for the catfish and thus keeping them without osmosis systems and other additives is wonderfully possible. However, high oxygen saturation is important, which is why a good filter is important.

L333 – Yellow Variant:

gender differences

The male Bengal tiger loricariids have a broader head and a clear spine on the first ray of the pectoral fin. Females, on the other hand, are usually slightly smaller, have a broader body and fewer and shorter spines.

socialization

Since the Hypancistrus spec. very peaceful is, it is good to socialize with calm fish species. Too aggressive or hectic fish are not suitable, as the catfish then remain shy and do not take in enough food. As always, the most important thing is that the water parameters are right for everyone.

breed

This is possible and also problem-free actionable. The catfish need properly sized caves, preferably clay tubes with an opening on one side only. Other natural materials are also suitable.

They often even spawn in the community tank, but the larvae don’t have much of a chance here, depending on the co-fish. A separate aquarium is therefore ideal for targeted breeding.

More frequent water changes and changes in temperature or current will stimulate reproduction, as will a slight decrease in pH.

Rearing is also quite easy in the breeding tank. The male takes care of the brood until the larvae swim. The young animals then eat almost everything from finely ground dry food to cucumber slices.

Small cave hiding places in the form of tubes should be available for the offspring. So they can feel safe because of the escape options on both sides.

When breeding, attention should be paid to the coloring so that the colors do not mix if possible.

Videos:

L333 hatching © Marco Preuss

L333 appearance and litter – a group © Bracht van Hoeymissen