Hypancistrus are the most popular of all L-number Catfish, mostly because of their very appealing exterior of beautiful patterns. However, some representatives of the genus are far more modest in their appearance, such as the Zombie Pleco, L70. This species is pretty much all grey, and as a result it’s only cared for by the most enthusiastic collectors out there. This of course makes it quite rare in the hobby. The unusual look of L70 (for being a Hypancistrus at least) has given it an almost enigmatic status among the most hardcore Pleco enthusiasts.
Facts:
Name: Hypancistrus sp.
Trade names: Zombie Pleco, L70
Origin: Rio Tapajos, Brazil
Maximum size: 16 cm / 6”
L70 needs an aquarium set up consisting of lots of hiding places in the form of rocks, wood and of course specially made caves that suit their measurements. In these the males will eventually guard their offspring. They prefer water that is warm (27-30 C), soft and slightly acidic. Most of all it should be well oxygenated and clean, so a good filtration system and frequent water changes are essential. It’s a rather small and timid species that should not be exposed to too much competition over food and shelter. Among themselves they are peaceful, although males may quarrel for caves and females can sometimes be badly injured or even killed during the breeding-trapping in the male’s cave.
L70 is very similar to another Hypancistrus type called H.sp.“Suriname”. The differences are not even clear, except for the locations these two types inhabit in the wild. There’s quite some distance between Suriname and Rio Tapajos, Brazil. In recent years when fish from Suriname were exported in significant numbers again, no such fish has turned up. Researchers who have surveyed a large art of Suriname’s waterways have never seen a Hypancistrus there. The H.sp.“Suriname” was (is?) only kept by a few people in Germany, and decades have passed since they were first imported there. Whether or not it’s a mix-up is very hard to say, but the similarity between L70 from Rio Tapajos and H.sp.”Suriname” is certainly striking.
More info:
http://www.l-welse.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/82/cat/30
http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=193
https://www.scotcat.com/loricariidae/hypancistrus_sp_l70.htm