Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025)
Pseudacanthicus sp.
The Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025) (Pseudacanthicus sp.) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 500 litres (132 US gallons), water held at 77-86°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025) Tank Setup
Plan for at least 500 litres (132 US gallons) with soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel - sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the water at 77-86°F with a pH around 6-7.5. They grow to around 40 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Pseudacanthicus sp.s Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025) Tank Mates
Scarlet Pleco; heavily armoured and aggressive with other bottom dwellers. Carnivorous; needs meaty diet. The Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025) is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. At around 40 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Pseudacanthicus sp.s Good for Beginners?
Not a sensible first purchase. Get the tank cycled, keep easier fish stable for a year, then revisit if you still want the extra work this species demands.
Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025) - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Pseudacanthicus sp.s need?
Pseudacanthicus sp.s need a tank of at least 500 litres (132 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Pseudacanthicus sp.s need?
Keep them at 77-86°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Pseudacanthicus sp.s eat?
Pseudacanthicus sp.s are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Pseudacanthicus sp.s good for beginners?
Pseudacanthicus sp.s are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Pseudacanthicus sp.s
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 500 litres (132 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Pseudacanthicus sp. (L025)s will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Pseudacanthicus sp.s
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Cardinal TetraSize risk - Pseudacanthicus sp.s will likely eat Cardinal Tetra at adult size
- Bronze CoryIncompatible temperament or care requirements
