🔥 L091 Three Beacon Pleco / Redfin Blackspot Pleco – (Leporacanthicus triactis) – Wild-Caught Orinoco Pleco

The L091 Three Beacon Pleco, also known as the Redfin Blackspot Pleco (Leporacanthicus triactis), is an impressive South American armored catfish known for its dark spotted body and brilliant orange to red-orange markings on three prominent fins.

The fish typically develops a:

• Dark brown
• Gray-brown
• Charcoal
• Nearly black

body covered with darker spotting.

Its most striking feature is the intense orange, yellow-orange, or reddish coloration associated with the:

• 🔥 Dorsal fin
• 🔥 Adipose fin
• 🔥 Caudal fin

These three bright areas are responsible for the aquarium name:

Three Beacon Pleco

The orange coloration can remain prominent into adulthood and may become even more intense as mature fish settle into good aquarium conditions.

L091 belongs to the genus Leporacanthicus, a group sometimes collectively called:

Vampire Plecos

because of their unusually enlarged upper-jaw teeth.

These specialized teeth reflect a feeding strategy much more focused on:

• Aquatic invertebrates
• Crustaceans
• Mollusks
• Insect larvae
• Other protein-rich foods

than is typical of algae-grazing plecos.

The Three Beacon Pleco is native to the upper Rio Orinoco Basin of Colombia and Venezuela, where it inhabits rocky, oxygen-rich freshwater environments and uses protected cavities and burrows for shelter.

This is a substantial pleco capable of reaching approximately:

10–12 Inches Total Length

and should be maintained in a spacious, mature aquarium with strong filtration, excellent oxygenation, rocky shelters, and a varied protein-oriented diet.

This listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L091 THREE BEACON PLECOS

Current specimens are approximately:

6–7 INCHES

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🔎 Quick Facts – L091 Three Beacon Pleco

• 📛 Common Name: Three Beacon Pleco
• 📛 Other Names: Redfin Blackspot Pleco, Triactis Pleco, Three Beacon Vampire Pleco
• 🔢 L-Number: L091 / L91
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Leporacanthicus triactis
• 🐟 Family: Loricariidae
• 🧬 Subfamily: Hypostominae
• 🌿 Stock: Wild Caught
• 📏 Current Size: Approximately 6–7 inches
• 🌎 Origin: South America
• 🇻🇪 Native Range: Venezuela – Upper Rio Orinoco Basin
• 🇨🇴 Native Range: Colombia – Upper Orinoco Basin
• 📍 Type Locality: Caño Mavaquita, Upper Orinoco, Amazonas, Venezuela
• 💧 Water Type: Freshwater
• 📏 Scientific Maximum: 24.7 cm / approximately 9.7 inches standard length
• 📏 Adult Planning Size: Approximately 10–12 inches total length
• 🏠 Recommended Aquarium: 90 gallons or larger
• 🏠 Preferred Adult Aquarium: 125+ gallons
• 👥 Multiple Adults: Significantly more bottom territory required
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 79–86°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–7.2
• 💦 Water: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 💨 Oxygenation: High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Moderate to Strong
• 🍽️ Diet: Protein-Leaning Omnivore / Invertebrate-Oriented Feeder
• 🦐 Animal Foods: Important
• 🌿 Plant Foods: Supplemental
• 🚫 Algae Cleaner: No
• 😠 Temperament: Territorial toward other large plecos
• 🌙 Activity: Primarily nocturnal / crepuscular
• 🐠 Swimming Area: Bottom
• 🥚 Breeding: Cave Spawner
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Care: Male guards eggs
• ⭐ Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• 🌎 IUCN Status: Least Concern

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🧬 Valid Scientific Species

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Leporacanthicus triactis

This remains a valid, formally described species.

It was scientifically described from the:

Upper Rio Orinoco Basin

with the type locality at:

Caño Mavaquita, Amazonas, Venezuela

The documented species distribution includes both:

• Venezuela
• Colombia

within the upper Orinoco drainage.

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🔥 Why Is It Called the Three Beacon Pleco?

The common aquarium name:

Three Beacon Pleco

refers to three conspicuous orange or yellow-orange areas associated with the fish's unpaired fins.

Typical specimens display bright coloration on the:

1. Dorsal Fin

2. Adipose Fin

3. Caudal Fin

Against the fish's dark body, these markings resemble three bright:

Beacons

of color.

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⚠️ “Three Beacon” & triactis Do Not Mean the Same Thing

This is an interesting distinction.

The common name:

Three Beacon Pleco

refers to the fish's three conspicuous colored fin areas.

However, the scientific species name:

triactis

refers to an anatomical characteristic:

Three Branched Anal-Fin Rays

rather than the orange coloration.

The species is unusual among its close relatives in having three rather than four branched anal-fin rays.

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🧛 Why Is It Called a Vampire Pleco?

Members of the genus:

Leporacanthicus

are commonly referred to as:

Vampire Plecos

because they possess distinctive enlarged teeth in the upper jaw.

The teeth can appear almost:

• Fang-like
• Needle-like
• Rabbit-like

compared with the broad scraping teeth of many algae-grazing plecos.

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🦷 Specialized Teeth

The specialized dentition of Leporacanthicus appears well suited to feeding on:

• Aquatic invertebrates
• Mollusks
• Crustaceans
• Insect larvae
• Other animal foods

Researchers have suggested the teeth may help these fish manipulate or extract invertebrate prey.

However:

Do Not Describe L091 as a Fish Predator

Its feeding behavior is primarily focused on:

Benthic Invertebrate Foods

rather than actively hunting other aquarium fish.

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🐰 What Does Leporacanthicus Mean?

The genus name combines words referring approximately to:

Rabbit + Thorn

The “rabbit” portion relates to the distinctive elongated teeth.

This unusual mouth structure helps make Leporacanthicus very different from the familiar algae-scraping plecos many customers know.

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🔥 Appearance

The L091 has a dramatic appearance.

Typical body coloration includes:

• Dark brown
• Gray
• Chocolate brown
• Charcoal
• Blackish gray

with:

• Dark spots
• Black spots
• Mottling

across the body and fins.

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🟠 Orange / Red Fin Markings

The signature coloration can range from:

• Yellow
• Golden yellow
• Orange
• Red-orange
• Deep orange-red

The intensity varies between individuals.

Color can be affected by:

• Genetics
• Collection locality
• Age
• Mood
• Diet
• Aquarium background
• Lighting
• Water quality
• Acclimation

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🔄 Color May Intensify With Age

Unlike some plecos that lose bright juvenile markings as they mature, the Three Beacon Pleco can retain its orange coloration well into adulthood.

In some individuals:

THE ORANGE MARKINGS BECOME MORE INTENSE WITH AGE

while the body itself may become lighter or darker depending on mood and environment.

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🐯 Tiger Fin & Other Color Forms

Different aquarium-trade color forms have been reported.

Some specimens develop unusually extensive orange coloration through the fins.

These may be referred to by hobby names such as:

• Tiger Fin
• Dragon Fin

These are:

COLOR / PATTERN DESCRIPTIONS

not separate scientifically recognized species.

Do not assume every L091 will develop the same amount of orange.

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⚠️ Color Disclaimer

Exact adult coloration cannot be guaranteed.

Wild L091 may vary considerably in:

• Amount of orange
• Spot size
• Body darkness
• Fin pattern
• Orange-band width

Always evaluate the actual fish being purchased.

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🌎 Native Distribution

Leporacanthicus triactis is native to the:

Upper Rio Orinoco Basin

in:

• 🇻🇪 Venezuela
• 🇨🇴 Colombia

The type locality is:

Caño Mavaquita, Amazonas, Venezuela

This is much more accurate than simply stating:

“South America”

or:

“Amazon Basin.”

L091 is an:

ORINOCO BASIN SPECIES

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🪨 Natural Habitat

The Three Beacon Pleco is associated with:

• Rocky river areas
• Boulders
• Crevices
• Burrows
• Moving freshwater
• Oxygen-rich habitat

It spends substantial amounts of time sheltered during daylight.

Wild fish have also been documented using:

Burrows

which helps explain the strong shelter and cave preference seen in aquariums.

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🌊 Water Movement

L091 benefits from:

ModerATE TO STRONG WATER MOVEMENT

especially around:

• Rockwork
• Caves
• Filter returns

The aquarium should also provide protected areas where the fish can rest outside the strongest current.

A good design provides:

🌊 Higher-Flow Areas

plus:

🪨 Sheltered Resting Areas

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💨 HIGH OXYGENATION

High dissolved oxygen is extremely important.

Recommended methods include:

• Strong surface agitation
• Powerful filter returns
• Air stones
• Powerheads
• Circulation pumps
• Sump filtration

This becomes increasingly important because the species prefers:

Warm Water

which naturally holds less oxygen.

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🌡️ Temperature

Your older product page recommended:

74–80°F

I would move that higher.

A more appropriate aquarium range is:

79–86°F / 26–30°C

with:

Excellent Oxygenation

at the warmer end.

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💧 Water Parameters

A practical aquarium range is:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 79–86°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–7.2
• 💦 Hardness: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 💨 Oxygenation: High
• 🌊 Flow: Moderate to Strong
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep as low as reasonably practical

Clean, stable water is especially important for wild-caught specimens.

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📏 Adult Size – Important Correction

Your older page listed:

7–9 Inches

as the maximum size.

Current scientific data document:

24.7 CM / APPROXIMATELY 9.7 INCHES STANDARD LENGTH

Standard length:

DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FULL TAIL FIN

Specialist aquarium references commonly place full adult size around:

30 CM / APPROXIMATELY 11.8 INCHES

Therefore, for customer planning:

EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 10–12 INCHES TOTAL LENGTH

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🚨 Current Size Is Not Adult Size

Your current wild-caught specimens are already approximately:

6–7 Inches

but they still have growth potential.

Customers should plan permanent housing around an adult approaching:

ONE FOOT LONG

rather than the current sale size.

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🏠 Aquarium Size

The previous:

40-Gallon Minimum

is too small for permanent housing of a territorial pleco capable of approaching 12 inches.

For one adult L091:

90 GALLONS OR LARGER

is a much better long-term starting point.

For a large mature specimen:

125+ GALLONS IS PREFERRED

particularly when other bottom dwellers are present.

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📐 Bottom Territory Matters

Because L091 spends most of its life near the bottom:

AQUARIUM LENGTH AND WIDTH MATTER MORE THAN EXCESSIVE HEIGHT

A larger footprint provides:

• Larger caves
• More territories
• More feeding areas
• Visual barriers
• Better water circulation
• Space to avoid other plecos

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🪨 Aquarium Setup

Recommended features include:

• Large smooth rocks
• Rock piles
• Large caves
• Ceramic pleco tubes
• Driftwood
• Sand or smooth gravel
• Shaded areas
• Strong filtration
• Moderate to strong circulation
• High dissolved oxygen

Décor should be secure.

A mature L091 is a powerful armored fish capable of shifting poorly secured structures.

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🏠 Caves Are Essential

The Three Beacon Pleco strongly appreciates protected shelters.

Suitable options include:

• Large ceramic caves
• Slate caves
• PVC-style pleco tubes
• Rock crevices
• Driftwood cavities

Each adult should have:

ITS OWN SECURE SHELTER

When housing multiple large plecos:

PROVIDE MORE CAVES THAN FISH

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🪵 Driftwood

Driftwood provides:

• Shelter
• Shade
• Territory boundaries
• Natural structure
• Biofilm

However:

L091 IS NOT A SPECIALIZED WOOD-EATING PLECO

It does not need wood as a primary food source or digestive requirement.

Use driftwood primarily for:

HABITAT AND ENRICHMENT

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💩 Filtration

A mature 10–12 inch protein-eating pleco can produce substantial waste.

Strong mechanical and biological filtration is essential.

Recommended systems include:

• Large canister filters
• Sump filtration
• High-capacity biological filtration
• Strong mechanical filtration
• Supplemental powerheads
• Strong surface agitation

Regular partial water changes should be part of normal care.

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🍽️ Diet – Protein-Leaning Omnivore

This is one of the biggest corrections from the older product page.

L091 should not be described as:

“Algae wafers, vegetables, and occasional protein treats.”

The species is better considered a:

PROTEIN-LEANING OMNIVORE

with strong natural specialization toward:

AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES

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🦐 Recommended Protein Foods

Suitable foods include:

• Shrimp
• Prawns
• Mysis shrimp
• Krill
• Mussel
• Cockle
• Bloodworms
• Mosquito larvae
• Insect-based sinking pellets
• Quality carnivore pellets
• Quality omnivore catfish tablets
• Appropriate gel foods

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🦪 Mollusks & Crustaceans

Foods such as:

• Mussel
• Shrimp
• Prawn

are particularly useful because they provide the type of aquatic animal nutrition associated with the natural feeding strategy of Leporacanthicus.

These should be offered as part of:

A VARIED DIET

rather than feeding one seafood item exclusively.

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⚠️ Do Not Feed Unlimited Meat

Protein-oriented does not mean:

100% MEAT WITH NO VARIETY

Published captive husbandry work with Leporacanthicus specifically recommends balancing rich protein foods with:

• Formulated foods
• Gel diets
• Some vegetable material

to avoid nutritional or digestive problems from an excessively rich diet.

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🌿 Plant Foods

Vegetable foods can still be offered.

Suitable foods may include:

• Zucchini
• Courgette
• Cucumber
• Spinach
• Kale
• Spirulina-containing wafers
• Vegetable-containing sinking foods

These should:

SUPPLEMENT

the animal-protein component.

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🚫 Not an Algae Cleaner

The Three Beacon Pleco should:

NOT BE PURCHASED FOR ALGAE CONTROL

Although it may occasionally graze:

• Biofilm
• Soft organic material
• Some algae

it is not nutritionally comparable to a heavily herbivorous algae-grazing pleco.

Intentional feeding is required.

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🌙 Nocturnal Behavior

L091 is primarily:

NOCTURNAL / CREPUSCULAR

It may spend much of the day:

• Inside caves
• Beneath rocks
• Behind driftwood
• Inside protected crevices

Activity normally increases:

• At dusk
• After lights out
• During feeding

Established adults may become increasingly confident during daylight.

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🧪 Wild-Caught Acclimation

This listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L091 THREE BEACON PLECOS

Careful acclimation is important.

After arrival:

• Keep lighting subdued
• Provide immediate shelter
• Maintain high dissolved oxygen
• Avoid sudden pH changes
• Avoid sudden temperature changes
• Monitor respiration
• Confirm feeding
• Maintain excellent water quality

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🍽️ Feed After Lights Out

Because L091 can be shy, faster tankmates may consume food before it emerges.

Offer food:

• Near its cave
• At dusk
• After lights out
• In multiple locations

Make sure the fish maintains:

GOOD BODY CONDITION

and does not develop a severely sunken abdomen.

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😠 Temperament

Toward most midwater fish, L091 is generally manageable.

However:

L091 CAN BE VERY TERRITORIAL TOWARD OTHER PLECOS

especially:

• Other L091s
• Other Leporacanthicus
• Similar large loricariids
• Cave-dwelling bottom fish

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⚔️ Territorial Conflict

A mature Three Beacon Pleco can use:

• Heavy armor
• Strong pectoral fins
• Odontodes
• Body strength

during territorial disputes.

Conflict may involve:

• Chasing
• Pushing
• Blocking caves
• Pinning competitors
• Odontode contact

Do not overcrowd the bottom.

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👥 Keeping More Than One

Multiple L091s can be maintained when provided with:

• A very large aquarium
• Significant bottom area
• Multiple caves
• Visual barriers
• Multiple feeding areas

However:

ONE ADULT PER LIMITED TERRITORY IS SAFER

than crowding several large plecos into a small tank.

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🐠 Tankmates

Potential midwater tankmates may include appropriately selected:

• Medium to large characins
• Larger tetras
• Silver-dollar-type fish
• Rheophilic cichlids
• Robust peaceful community fish

Tankmates must tolerate:

• Warm water
• High oxygen
• Good circulation

Use greatest caution with:

OTHER LARGE BOTTOM DWELLERS

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Sex differences become more obvious in mature specimens.

Mature Males May Develop:

• Longer and broader head
• More angular head shape
• More pronounced odontodes along the sides of the head
• Stronger pectoral-fin odontodes
• More extensive body odontodes
• Larger dorsal fin
• Strong cave territoriality

Mature Females May:

• Have less odontode development
• Appear fuller through the abdomen when carrying eggs

Juveniles can be difficult to sex.

Unless confidently established:

SELL AS UNSEXED

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🥚 Breeding – Confirmed in Captivity

The L091 Three Beacon Pleco has been:

SUCCESSFULLY BRED IN HOME AQUARIUMS

It is a:

CAVE-SPAWNING PLECO

although breeding is still uncommon compared with smaller pleco species.

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🏠 Breeding Cave

Breeding adults should receive several large caves.

The preferred cave should generally be:

• Slightly longer than the male
• Not excessively wide
• Closed at one end
• Located in oxygen-rich water
• Securely positioned

Large ceramic tubes are useful.

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💕 Courtship

Documented aquarium breeding reports describe a fairly intense courtship.

A mature male establishes a cave.

A receptive female is eventually allowed inside.

After spawning:

THE MALE FORCES OR ENCOURAGES THE FEMALE OUT

and takes over brood care.

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👨‍👧 Male Parental Care

The male remains inside the cave and:

• Guards the eggs
• Fans the clutch
• Maintains water movement
• Protects developing embryos

This is typical paternal care for many cave-spawning loricariids.

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🥚 Egg Development

Aquarium breeding reports have documented eggs hatching in approximately:

3 DAYS

under warm conditions.

Exact incubation time depends on:

• Temperature
• Water chemistry
• Oxygenation

After hatching, the fry rely initially on their yolk sacs.

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👶 Fry Feeding

Once actively feeding, suitable foods include:

• Crushed sinking carnivore pellets
• Fine omnivore foods
• Baby brine shrimp
• Tiny frozen foods
• Fine gel foods

As with adults:

DIETARY VARIETY IS IMPORTANT

Maintain exceptionally clean water because protein-rich foods can rapidly pollute fry systems.

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💧 Breeding Trigger

Aquarium breeders have reported spawning following:

A LARGE PARTIAL WATER CHANGE WITH SLIGHTLY COOLER WATER

which may simulate seasonal environmental changes.

This should not be treated as a guaranteed formula.

Successful breeding also depends on:

• Mature compatible adults
• Proper conditioning
• Excellent water quality
• Suitable caves
• High oxygenation

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🧬 Preserve L091 Identification

When breeding L091:

• Keep accurate parent records
• Preserve supplier information
• Preserve collection locality when known
• Avoid mixing other Leporacanthicus species

Do not sell mixed or uncertain offspring as pure:

Leporacanthicus triactis

unless parentage is known.

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🌎 Conservation Status

Leporacanthicus triactis is currently assessed by the IUCN as:

LEAST CONCERN

The assessment was completed in:

2020

The species occurs within the upper Orinoco Basin of:

• Colombia
• Venezuela

Responsible sourcing and long-term care remain important, particularly for:

WILD-CAUGHT FISH

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⭐ Why Keep an L091 Three Beacon Pleco?

The L091 offers a dramatic combination of:

• 🔥 Three brilliant orange fin markings
• ⚫ Dark spotted body
• 🧛 Vampire Pleco teeth
• 🦐 Unusual invertebrate-focused feeding behavior
• 📏 Impressive 10–12 inch adult size
• 🌊 Upper Orinoco origin
• 🪨 Cave and burrow behavior
• 🌙 Nocturnal personality
• 🥚 Documented captive cave spawning
• 👨‍👧 Male parental care

that makes it an impressive showpiece bottom-dwelling fish for a properly sized aquarium.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing an L091 Three Beacon Pleco:

• The correct scientific name is Leporacanthicus triactis.
• L091 is native to the upper Orinoco Basin of Colombia and Venezuela.
• The type locality is Caño Mavaquita in Amazonas, Venezuela.
• This listing is for wild-caught fish.
• Current specimens are approximately 6–7 inches.
• FishBase documents 24.7 cm / 9.7 inches standard length before the tail.
• Plan for approximately 10–12 inches total adult length.
• Do not use 7–9 inches as a hard adult maximum.
• Provide approximately 90 gallons or larger.
• 125+ gallons is preferred for a mature adult.
• Prioritize aquarium length and bottom territory.
• Provide large secure caves.
• Maintain warm water around 79–86°F.
• Maintain high dissolved oxygen.
• Provide moderate to strong water movement.
• Maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Use strong mechanical and biological filtration.
• Feed a protein-leaning omnivorous diet.
• Provide substantial aquatic invertebrate and animal-based foods.
• Include some plant-based foods for dietary balance.
• Do not maintain L091 only on vegetables or algae wafers.
• Do not treat it as an algae cleaner.
• Expect territorial behavior toward other plecos.
• Captive cave spawning has been documented.
• Males provide parental care.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Taxonomy

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Leporacanthicus triactis Isbrücker, Nijssen & Nico, 1992

Classification:

• Order: Siluriformes
• Family: Loricariidae
• Subfamily: Hypostominae
• Genus: Leporacanthicus
• Species: triactis

Current scientific records recognize the species from:

The Upper Orinoco Basin of Venezuela and Colombia

For this product, use:

L091 Three Beacon Pleco / Redfin Blackspot Pleco – (Leporacanthicus triactis)

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🔥 Color Form Disclaimer

Different L091 specimens can display varying amounts of:

• Yellow
• Orange
• Red-orange

on the fins.

Aquarium terms such as:

• Tiger Fin
• Dragon Fin

describe unusually colorful forms and are not separate scientific species.

Exact adult fin coloration cannot be guaranteed.

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Live fish are professionally packed for safe transport.

Shipping availability depends on:

• Fish size
• Destination
• Weather conditions
• Carrier availability
• Applicable state and local regulations

Larger L091 specimens may require:

• Larger insulated shipping boxes
• Additional water
• Heavy-duty shipping bags
• Specialized packing

Care is especially important because mature Leporacanthicus have:

• Strong pectoral fins
• Heavy armor
• Odontodes

Please review our Shipping & Payment Information and Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy before ordering.

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⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for confirming that Leporacanthicus triactis may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🔎 SEO Settings

Product Name:
L091 Three Beacon Pleco / Redfin Blackspot Pleco – Leporacanthicus triactis

SEO Title:
L091 Three Beacon Pleco For Sale | Leporacanthicus triactis

Meta Description:
Wild-caught L091 Three Beacon Pleco (Leporacanthicus triactis) for sale online. Striking Orinoco Vampire Pleco with orange-red fin markings. Learn about adult size, protein-rich diet, tank requirements, breeding and care.