Snow King Pleco (Liposarcus anisitsi)

The Snow King Pleco (Liposarcus anisitsi) from the Parana-Paraguay River basin is a large, robust loricariid with a pale grey to whitish base colour overlaid with a network of fine dark spots, giving it a distinctive snowy appearance. One of the coldest-tolerant pleco species, it can be kept in unheated or subtropical aquariums in temperate climates — a rare trait in large plecos. A strong diet of vegetable matter and algae is essential.

Provide a spacious aquarium (300L+) with robust filtration for this large, waste-producing pleco. Feed primarily a plant-based diet: algae wafers, blanched cucumber, zucchini, and leafy greens — supplement with driftwood for grazing. Can tolerate temperatures down to 18°C, making it compatible with subtropical or unheated setups. Territorial towards other large plecos; provide separate caves.