Snowball Pleco

Hypancistrus inspector

Also known as: Snowball plec, L102

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–29°C
• pH: 6–7.5
• Hardness (GH): 18–143 ppm (1–8 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

The snowball pleco (L102) is a smart, dark-bodied fish, black to reddish-charcoal and scattered with crisp white spots, finished with a dark ribbon along the edge of the dorsal and tail fins. It comes from the soft, warm blackwater of the Rio Negro, and it tolerates a wide temperature range, doing well in the warm water many community tanks run. Like other Hypancistrus it leans carnivorous and should not be treated as an algae eater: feed it a protein-rich mix of sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworm, and some vegetables. It reaches around 16cm, appreciates caves and roots rather than plants, and does not need the fierce current some plecos demand. Peaceful and undemanding of tankmates, though territorial towards its own kind, it is a handsome and rewarding choice for an intermediate keeper with soft, warm water.

Tankmates

Peaceful towards other species and a good fit for a warm, soft-water community of tetras, rasboras, dwarf rainbowfish, dwarf cichlids, and corydoras. Provide caves and roots to claim; it does not require strong current. Keep one per tank unless the tank is large and cave-rich, as it is territorial towards its own kind. Feed it as a protein-led omnivore rather than an algae eater, and avoid large or aggressive cichlids and fin-nippers.

Compatible with

• Cardinal Tetra
• Rummynose Tetra
• Harlequin Rasbora
• German Blue Ram
• Sterbai Corydoras
• Angelfish
• Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish

Avoid keeping with

• Large Cichlids
• Fin Nippers
• Aggressive Tankmates
• Common Pleco

Common Problems

• being underfed on algae when it needs a protein-rich diet
• confusion in shops, where many spotted dark plecos are sold as snowball
• territorial disputes with its own kind where caves are too few
• ich if chilled

Sources: planetcatfish.com, seriouslyfish.com · Last updated: 2026-10-04