L037 Honeycomb Pleco - (Hypostomus faveolus)

Fish Details, Description and Information Below:

🐟 L037 Honeycomb Pleco – (Hypostomus faveolus) – Wild-Caught Brazilian Honeycomb Pleco

The L037 Honeycomb Pleco (Hypostomus faveolus) is a distinctive Brazilian pleco known for its unusual honeycomb-like pattern of pale tan, yellow-brown, or cream-colored blotches separated by thin dark lines.

Unlike plecos covered in simple dots or stripes, the L037 develops an intricate reticulated pattern that can resemble:

🍯 Honeycomb
🕸️ Netting
🧩 Irregular geometric shapes
🐆 Connected blotches

This unique coloration is so characteristic that it inspired the scientific species name:

faveolus

which refers to a honeycomb-like pattern.

The Honeycomb Pleco is a medium-sized member of the genus Hypostomus. It does not reach the enormous size of many Common Plecos or Sailfin Plecos, but mature specimens can still approach approximately 8–10 inches total length and require a spacious aquarium with strong filtration and adequate bottom territory.

Wild Hypostomus faveolus occur in Brazil's Rio Tocantins/Araguaia and upper Rio Xingu systems, inhabiting everything from rocky rapids to slower sections of medium and large rivers.

They are adaptable omnivorous grazers that should receive a varied diet containing substantial:

Algae-based foods
Vegetable matter
Biofilm
Quality sinking pellets

along with appropriate supplemental animal and insect protein.

The species has also been successfully bred in captivity, with documented males guarding egg clutches inside caves.

This listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L037 HONEYCOMB PLECOS

🔎 Quick Facts – L037 Honeycomb Pleco

📛 Common Name: Honeycomb Pleco
📛 Other Name: Faveolus Pleco
🔢 L-Number: L037
🔬 Scientific Name: Hypostomus faveolus
🐟 Family: Loricariidae
🧬 Subfamily: Hypostominae
🌿 Stock: Wild Caught
🇧🇷 Country: Brazil
🌊 Primary Native Range: Rio Tocantins / Araguaia and Upper Rio Xingu Basins
🌎 Broader Species Distribution: Current taxonomic records also include the upper Paraná drainage
💧 Water Type: Freshwater
📏 Scientific Maximum: Approximately 20.6 cm / 8.1 inches standard length
📏 Adult Planning Size: Approximately 8–10 inches total length
🏠 Recommended Aquarium: 75 gallons or larger
👥 Multiple Plecos: 90+ gallons with adequate shelters and bottom territory
🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 75–82°F
💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
💦 Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
💨 Oxygenation: Good to High
🌊 Water Movement: Moderate with stronger-flow areas
🍽️ Diet: Omnivorous Grazer with Strong Plant / Algae Component
🌿 Vegetable Foods: Important
🦐 Animal Protein: Supplemental
😌 Temperament: Generally peaceful; territorial behavior may occur around shelters
🌙 Activity: Primarily nocturnal / crepuscular
🐠 Swimming Area: Bottom
🥚 Breeding: Cave Spawner
👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Care: Male guards eggs and fry
⭐ Care Level: Intermediate
🌎 Conservation Status: Least Concern

🍯 Why Is It Called the Honeycomb Pleco?

The name:

Honeycomb Pleco

comes directly from the species' unusual body pattern.

Rather than simple round spots, the fish develops:

Pale Blotches Surrounded by Thin Dark Borders

These markings form interconnected shapes resembling:

A Honeycomb

The pattern can cover:

Head
Body
Dorsal fin
Pectoral fins
Pelvic fins
Caudal fin

making the entire fish appear covered in a network of irregular cells.

🧬 Meaning of the Scientific Name

The scientific species name:

faveolus

comes from Latin terminology related to:

favus – honeycomb

and refers directly to the fish's distinctive pattern.

Few plecos have a scientific name that describes their appearance as clearly as this species.

🧬 A Formally Described Species

L037 originally entered the aquarium hobby before scientists formally described it.

For years it was known simply as:

Hypostomus sp. L037

In:

2008

it was formally described as:

Hypostomus faveolus

by:

Cláudio H. Zawadzki
José L. O. Birindelli
Flávio C. T. Lima

Therefore, the correct modern product identification is:

**L037 Honeycomb Pleco – (Hypostomus faveolus)**

🗺️ Type Locality

The type locality of Hypostomus faveolus is in:

Mato Grosso, Brazil

within the:

Rio Araguaia Drainage

which is part of the larger:

Rio Tocantins Basin

The original type locality is near:

Cocalinho, Mato Grosso

🌎 Natural Distribution

The species is naturally associated with several Brazilian river systems.

Important populations occur in the:

Rio Tocantins Basin
Rio Araguaia Drainage
Upper Rio Xingu Basin

Current taxonomic records also include:

Upper Paraná Drainage

However, the aquarium L037 form is most strongly associated with Brazilian Tocantins/Araguaia and Xingu fish.

🎨 Geographic Color Variation

One particularly interesting feature of Hypostomus faveolus is that its pattern can vary according to locality.

Fish from the:

Rio Xingu

often display somewhat broader dark borders around the pale blotches.

Fish from the:

Rio Tocantins / Araguaia

may display slightly different proportions between the light blotches and dark borders.

Juveniles can also show different patterns depending on collection locality.

⚠️ Pattern Can Vary

No two L037 Honeycomb Plecos should be expected to look exactly alike.

Individual differences may include:

Size of the honeycomb pattern
Width of dark borders
Number of pale blotches
Body darkness
Fin coloration
Contrast

Appearance can also temporarily change because of:

Stress
Shipping
Aquarium background
Lighting
Diet
Water conditions
Acclimation

🛡️ Armored Appearance

Like other Loricariidae, the Honeycomb Pleco is protected by rows of:

Bony Plates

rather than ordinary fish scales.

The species also has noticeable:

Body keels
Head ridges
Predorsal ridges
Strong pectoral-fin rays

These features give mature specimens a heavily armored appearance.

📏 Adult Size

FishBase currently documents Hypostomus faveolus reaching:

20.6 cm / approximately 8.1 inches STANDARD LENGTH

Standard length does:

NOT INCLUDE THE TAIL FIN

Therefore, a full-grown specimen may approach approximately:

8–10 Inches Total Length

depending on the individual.

This makes L037 substantially more manageable than many Hypostomus and Pterygoplichthys species that can exceed 18–24 inches.

⚠️ Not a Tiny Pleco

Although smaller than a Common Pleco, L037 is still a substantial fish.

Do not plan permanent housing around the size of a:

2-inch juvenile
3-inch juvenile
4-inch juvenile

A mature Honeycomb Pleco becomes:

Thick-bodied
Heavily armored
Strong
Territorial around preferred shelters
A significant waste producer

🏠 Aquarium Size

For one adult L037 Honeycomb Pleco:

75 Gallons or Larger

is recommended.

This provides:

Better bottom area
Greater water stability
Additional shelter
More feeding territory
Better dilution of waste

For multiple Honeycomb Plecos or other substantial bottom dwellers:

90 Gallons or Larger

is preferable.

📐 Aquarium Footprint Matters

Because this species spends most of its life near the bottom:

Length and Width Matter More Than Excessive Height

A long aquarium allows more room for:

Multiple shelters
Separate feeding areas
Rockwork
Driftwood
Territories

and reduces competition between bottom-dwelling fish.

🌊 Natural Habitat

One interesting feature of this species is its ability to use several different river habitats.

Adults have been found in:

Rocky Rapids

but also in:

Slower-Flowing Sections of Medium and Large Rivers

They may occur over:

Rock
Gravel
Sand
Softer substrate

Juveniles have even been documented in:

Small streams
Oxbow lakes

This means L037 is more adaptable than a pleco restricted exclusively to violent rapids.

🌊 Aquarium Flow

The aquarium should provide:

Moderate Water Movement

with some stronger-flow areas.

However:

The entire aquarium does not need to be an extreme torrent.

A good layout provides:

🌊 Higher-Flow Areas

for:

Oxygenation
Grazing
Natural behavior

and:

🪨 Lower-Flow Shelters

where the fish can:

Rest
Hide
Establish territory

💨 Oxygenation

Strong oxygenation is still important.

Recommended methods include:

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

Maintain:

Clean, Oxygen-Rich Water

especially at warmer temperatures.

🪨 Aquarium Setup

A suitable L037 aquarium should include:

Smooth rocks
Rock structures
Driftwood
Large caves
Sand or smooth gravel
Shaded resting areas
Open feeding surfaces
Strong filtration
Good circulation
High oxygenation

Provide enough structure for the fish to completely retreat from view when desired.

🏠 Caves & Shelters

Honeycomb Plecos appreciate secure shelter.

Suitable options include:

Ceramic pleco caves
Slate caves
Large rock crevices
Driftwood shelters
PVC-style breeding tubes

When multiple plecos are housed together:

Provide More Shelters Than Fish

This reduces competition over favorite hiding areas.

🪵 Driftwood

Driftwood is highly useful in an L037 aquarium.

It provides:

Shelter
Shade
Biofilm
Grazing surfaces
Territory boundaries

However:

L037 Is Not a Specialized Wood-Eating Pleco

Unlike species in genera such as:

Panaque
Panaqolus

the Honeycomb Pleco does not require wood as a major dietary component.

Wood is excellent:

Habitat and Enrichment

but should not be described as essential for digestion.

💧 Water Parameters

A practical long-term aquarium range is:

🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F
💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
💦 Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
💨 Oxygenation: Good to High
🌊 Flow: Moderate
☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
🔄 Nitrate: Keep as low as reasonably practical

The species has also been successfully bred outside an extremely narrow water-chemistry range, demonstrating that:

Stability and Water Quality Are More Important Than Chasing One Exact Number

💩 Filtration

A mature L037 produces substantially more waste than a tiny decorative pleco.

Strong filtration is recommended.

Suitable filtration may include:

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

Regular partial water changes should be part of routine care.

🍽️ Diet – Omnivorous Grazer

The Honeycomb Pleco is best described as an:

Omnivorous Grazer With a Strong Plant / Algae Component

It consumes a broad variety of foods.

A proper captive diet should not consist exclusively of either:

Vegetables

or:

Meat

🌿 Plant-Based Foods

Suitable foods include:

High-quality algae wafers
Spirulina wafers
Vegetable-based sinking pellets
Zucchini
Squash
Cucumber
Green beans
Spinach
Kale
Other appropriate vegetables

Plant-based nutrition should form an important part of the diet.

🦐 Supplemental Protein

Appropriate supplemental protein may include:

Mysis shrimp
Brine shrimp
Bloodworms
Krill
Insect-based foods
Shrimp-based sinking foods
Quality omnivore pellets

Protein should supplement the overall diet rather than completely replace plant-based foods.

🍂 Natural Grazing Behavior

Honeycomb Plecos will also graze:

Algae
Biofilm
Organic coatings
Natural surfaces
Soft decaying plant material

A mature aquarium with natural biofilm provides useful additional feeding opportunities.

🚫 Not Just an Aquarium Cleaner

Although L037 may consume algae:

It should not be purchased simply to clean an aquarium.

The fish still needs:

Regular feeding
Quality prepared foods
Vegetables
Appropriate protein

Aquarium algae alone is not a complete diet.

🌙 Nocturnal Behavior

The Honeycomb Pleco is primarily:

Nocturnal / Crepuscular

Activity generally increases:

At dusk
After the lights go out
During feeding
Under subdued lighting

Newly imported fish may remain hidden during the day.

Established specimens often become increasingly confident and may eventually feed while the aquarium lights are on.

🧪 Wild-Caught Acclimation

Because this listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L037 HONEYCOMB PLECOS

careful acclimation is important.

After arrival:

Provide immediate shelter
Maintain good oxygenation
Keep lighting subdued
Avoid sudden parameter changes
Monitor respiration
Monitor feeding
Watch body condition
Maintain excellent water quality

Wild-caught plecos may initially require extra time to become comfortable with prepared aquarium foods.

🍽️ Make Sure the Pleco Is Eating

In a community aquarium, faster fish can consume most food before the pleco emerges.

Offer some food:

Near its shelter
After lights out
In several different locations

Watch for:

Sunken abdomen
Loss of body mass
Persistent hiding combined with refusal to eat

A wild-caught pleco should be monitored carefully until regular feeding is confirmed.

😌 Temperament

Toward most appropriately sized midwater fish, the Honeycomb Pleco is generally:

Peaceful

It can make a good bottom-dwelling companion for suitable community or larger South American aquariums.

However:

Pleco-to-Pleco Territorial Behavior Can Occur

⚠️ Territorial Behavior

Adults may defend:

Preferred caves
Feeding areas
Driftwood
Rock shelters

Conflicts can involve:

Chasing
Pushing
Tail slapping
Blocking cave entrances

Provide sufficient:

Bottom space
Visual barriers
Feeding locations
Shelters

when multiple plecos are present.

👥 Social Behavior

L037 appears more tolerant of its own species than many extremely territorial cactus plecos.

Captive breeders have successfully maintained breeding groups.

However:

Tolerance Does Not Mean Unlimited Crowding

Adequate territory remains necessary.

🐠 Tankmates

Potential tankmates may include appropriately sized:

Tetras
Rainbowfish
Barbs
Geophagus
Severums
Peaceful cichlids
Other compatible catfish

Avoid tankmates that:

Constantly harass the pleco
Prevent it from feeding
Require dramatically different water conditions
Compete aggressively for every shelter

♂️ Male vs. Female

Sex differences become more apparent in mature animals.

Mature Males May Show:

Darker overall coloration
Somewhat different head shape
Longer pectoral fins
Thickened first pectoral-fin rays
Increased cave territoriality

Mature Females May:

Appear broader through the abdomen
Become noticeably fuller when carrying eggs

Juveniles can be difficult to sex accurately.

Unless confidently determined:

Sell as Unsexed

🥚 Breeding – Successfully Documented

Unlike many plecos where breeding information is largely assumed:

L037 Honeycomb Plecos Have Been Successfully Bred in Captivity

They behave as:

Cave-Spawning Plecos

A mature pair enters a protected breeding cave.

After spawning:

The Male Guards the Eggs

and remains with the developing brood.

🏠 Breeding Caves

Successful breeders have provided multiple:

Ceramic caves
Pleco tubes
Enclosed shelters

combined with:

Strong Water Flow

around the breeding area.

A breeding cave should be:

Large enough for the fish
Tight enough for the male to defend
Enclosed at one end
Positioned in oxygen-rich water

🥚 Documented Captive Spawn

One published captive breeding account maintained four Honeycomb Plecos until they reached approximately:

14 cm Standard Length

The fish eventually formed pairs and spawned inside caves.

A male was observed:

GUARDING A LARGE EGG MASS

and providing parental care.

More than:

60 Fry

were ultimately raised from the documented spawn.

👶 Fry Care

After consuming their yolk sacs, documented Honeycomb Pleco fry readily consumed:

Newly hatched baby brine shrimp
Powdered granular foods

Several small meals per day promoted strong early growth.

Fry should also gradually receive:

Fine algae-based foods
Crushed omnivore pellets
Fine vegetable-containing foods

as they develop.

Excellent water quality is extremely important in fry systems.

🌡️ Interesting Breeding Temperature

The successful published captive spawning occurred without extreme heat.

The breeder reported winter aquarium temperatures around:

72–75°F / 22–24°C

with summer temperatures around:

75–79°F / 24–26°C

This demonstrates that L037 does not require permanently extreme tropical temperatures to reproduce successfully.

🌎 Conservation Status

Hypostomus faveolus is currently assessed as:

Least Concern

Its distribution includes multiple river systems in central Brazil.

However, responsible aquarium care remains important, particularly for:

Wild-Caught L-Number Fish

Always provide permanent appropriate housing and never release aquarium animals into the wild.

⭐ Why Keep an L037 Honeycomb Pleco?

The Honeycomb Pleco is an excellent choice for aquarists who want a medium-sized Hypostomus with a pattern unlike most other plecos.

Its combination of:

🍯 Honeycomb body pattern
🛡️ Armored appearance
📏 Manageable 8–10 inch adult size
🌊 Brazilian river origin
🌙 Nocturnal behavior
🌿 Omnivorous grazing behavior
🥚 Documented cave-spawning reproduction
👨‍👩‍👧 Male parental care
🏆 Distinctive L-number appearance

makes Hypostomus faveolus a fascinating addition to a properly sized aquarium.

⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing an L037 Honeycomb Pleco:

The correct scientific name is Hypostomus faveolus.
L037 was formally described scientifically in 2008.
The honeycomb pattern is formed by pale blotches bordered by dark lines.
This listing is for wild-caught fish.
The species is native primarily to Brazil's Tocantins/Araguaia and upper Xingu systems.
FishBase documents approximately 8.1 inches standard length.
Plan for approximately 8–10 inches total adult length.
Provide approximately 75 gallons or larger.
Use larger aquariums for multiple substantial bottom dwellers.
Provide rocks, driftwood, and shelters.
Maintain good to high oxygenation.
Provide moderate water movement.
Maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero.
Feed a varied omnivorous diet.
Include substantial algae and vegetable-based nutrition.
Include appropriate supplemental protein.
Do not rely solely on aquarium algae.
Do not describe this species as a specialized wood eater.
Expect some territorial behavior around shelters.
Captive breeding has been documented.
Males guard the eggs inside caves.
Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

🧬 Taxonomy

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Hypostomus faveolus Zawadzki, Birindelli & Lima, 2008

Classification:

Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Genus: Hypostomus
Species: faveolus

The species was originally known to aquarists as:

L037

before receiving its formal scientific description.

For this product, use:

**L037 Honeycomb Pleco – (Hypostomus faveolus)**

🚚 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 specimens may require:

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

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

⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

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

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.