There are several locations known in Brazil and Colombia / Venezuela for the Leporacanthicus galaxias complex. Wether they belong to different species or are all local variations of L.galaxias is still not determined by science, so for now we stick with their many L-numbers to keep them apart. L240 is from the Orinoco system in Venezuela, and is a regular export from Colombia. This is a large-growing carnivore, suited for bigger tanks.
Name: Leporacanthicus cf. galaxias
Trade names: Orinoco Galaxy Pleco, L240
Origin: Rio Orinoco, Colombia/Venezuela.
Maximum size: 30 cm / 12”
Leporacanthicus species must be kept in well filtered and clean aquariums with lots of hiding places. They are peaceful towards most other fish, but the males can be territorial and aggressive towards each other. They are meat eaters and should be fed a protein rich diet consisting of crustaceans, shrimps, mussels and fish meat. Their teeth are shaped to pull crustaceans from their shells. Good quality dried foods should also be offered. Males have a broader head with a rim of short odontodes.
L240 is exported and collected together with the very similar form L241. It can be hard to tell these forms apart, but L241 has a lower, more compact bodyshape, a longer head and a lower dorasal fin compared to L240. It’s likely they belong to the same species, but are adapted to slightly different niches in the river system. They are exported together from Colombia.
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