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Snowball Pleco
Hypancistrus inspector
Family: Loricariidae • Origin: Various
Snowball Pleco (Hypancistrus inspector) is a peaceful pleco reaching 6 inches. Can be kept singly. Minimum tank size: 40 gallons.
Min Tank
40 gal
Max Size
6"
Temperature
77-86°F
pH
6-7
Lifespan
9 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
peacefuladvancedcarnivore
Care Tips
- • Max size: 6 inches
- • Temperature: 77-86°F
- • pH: 6-7
- • Can be kept alone or in pairs
- • peaceful temperament — safe with community fish
Feeding: Standard carnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Loricariidae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical peaceful Loricariidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 40 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 60 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 77–86°F
- pH Range
- 6–7
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Typical peaceful Loricariidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- cave spawner
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 9 years
Ideal For
40 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Twig Catfish
Farlowella acus
72-79°FpH 6-740+ gal
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Blue Phantom Pleco
Hemiancistrus sp.
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L333 King Tiger Pleco
Hypancistrus sp. L333
79-86°FpH 6-7.540+ gal
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L200 Green Phantom Pleco
Hemiancistrus subviridis
77-84°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
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