L137 Blue Eyed Red Fin Pleco

Remarks: The L137 blue eyed red fin pleco is a beautiful and uncommon species of Hypostomus from Brazil. Like others in the same genus, they have high backs, tall dorsal fins, and spoon-shaped teeth that aid them in grazing on algae and plant matter. The color of this species is variable with their bodies ranging from a soft gray to a warm brown, accented by their fins that can be anywhere from a dark brownish-red to a burnt orange. Sometimes these fins even have spots. These fins along with their striking blue eyes give them their common name. The second half of their scientific name, soniae, was given in honor of loricariid expert, Sonia Fisch-Muller who took part in its discovery.

  In the aquarium, the L137 blue eyed red fin pleco can be a great choice for an algae-eater to live alongside large, South American cichlids. They have a voracious appetite and can make quick work of many different species of algae but still need to have their diets supplemented with wood, fresh vegetables, and high-quality pellets. This appetite coincides with a high metabolism so frequent water changes are necessary to manage their high waste output. These plecos can be rather territorial and boisterous so it is best not to house them with other loricariids unless they are in a very large system. This behavior, however makes them very good at handling cichlids with similar demeanors so they pair well with cichlids such as Salvin's cichlids and large severums.