Remarks: The L398 Tanke tiger pleco is a native of the Rio Xingu in Brazil. They are specifically found in the lower sections of the river where fallen branches and trees litter the clear, fast-flowing waters. In the aquarium, they do best when these conditions of clean, heavily oxygenated, soft, and acidic water are imitated. As they are a xylivore (a wood eater), lots of driftwood should be provided for them to graze on along with fresh vegetables such as zucchini, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Loricariid species like the Tanke tiger pleco have fast metabolisms that result in the creation of lots of waste so to keep their water pristine and allow them to remain healthy, frequent, large water changes are a must.

  If one provides the L398 Tanke tiger pleco with correct parameters, plenty of hiding spaces, and a healthy diet, you will be rewarded with a truly stunning fish. Individuals at peak healthy display vibrant yellow or orange coloration that pairs nicely with the black or dark gray stripes that also cover their fins and body. As their common name indicates, this gives them a pattern similar to that of a tiger. This attractive coloration combined with their manageable size makes the L398 Tanke tiger pleco an excellent choice for many South American tanks.