{"product_id":"l519-rio-itenez-pleco-tank-bred-in-texas-peaceful-bottom-cleaner-1-25-2-0-in-juveniles","title":"L519 Rio Itenez Pleco – Tank-Bred in Texas | Peaceful Bottom Cleaner, 1.25–2.0 in Juveniles","description":"\u003cp\u003eL519 Rio Itenez Plecos are a peaceful, hardy, and attractive dwarf Bristlenose-type pleco known for their honeycomb pattern, compact adult size, and useful grazing behavior. Their dark body, light spotting, and unique pattern make them a great choice for planted tanks, driftwood aquariums, pleco collections, and peaceful community setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese fish are \u003cstrong\u003etank-bred in Texas\u003c\/strong\u003e, making them a stronger and better-acclimated option compared with many imported plecos. They are small, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish that spend much of their time grazing on biofilm, soft algae, driftwood, rocks, and aquarium surfaces while resting under caves, wood, or plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fish currently available are juveniles around \u003cstrong\u003e1.25–2.0 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e. Adult L519 Rio Itenez Plecos typically reach about \u003cstrong\u003e3.5–4 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e when fully grown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e L519 Rio Itenez Pleco, Rio Itenez Bristlenose Pleco, L519 Honeycomb Bristlenose Pleco\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Commonly sold as \u003cem\u003eAncistrus\u003c\/em\u003e sp. L519 “Rio Itenez”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 3.5–4 inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrent Sale Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 1.25–2.0 inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bottom-dweller\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore with strong vegetable\/algae-grazing needs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Often 5+ years with good care\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Tank Setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eL519 Rio Itenez Plecos do best in a mature aquarium with clean, stable water, driftwood, caves, and shaded hiding areas. They are peaceful with most community fish, but like many plecos, adult males may become territorial toward other male plecos if there are not enough caves or hiding spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons recommended for one adult\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroup Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Can be kept singly, as pairs, or in breeding groups with enough space and caves\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72–82°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.8\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sand or smooth gravel preferred\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTankmates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, guppies, endlers, corydoras, snails, shrimp, and other calm community fish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDriftwood is strongly recommended because L519 plecos naturally graze on wood, biofilm, and soft growth in the aquarium. Provide multiple caves, wood pieces, plants, or shaded areas so they feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eL519 Rio Itenez Plecos are good algae and biofilm grazers, but they should still be fed directly. They enjoy a varied diet of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlgae wafers, sinking vegetable pellets, blanched zucchini, cucumber, green beans, spinach, Repashy, driftwood biofilm, occasional frozen bloodworms, and high-quality sinking foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey will graze on soft algae, biofilm, wood surfaces, and leftover food, but they still need regular feeding to stay healthy. A vegetable-based diet is important for good growth, body condition, and long-term health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Choose These Plecos?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese L519 Rio Itenez Plecos are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTank-bred in Texas\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful and community-friendly\u003cbr\u003eGreat for planted and driftwood tanks\u003cbr\u003eAttractive honeycomb-style pattern\u003cbr\u003eSmall Bristlenose-type pleco\u003cbr\u003eHelpful algae and biofilm grazer\u003cbr\u003eGood choice for pleco collectors\u003cbr\u003eSmaller than common plecos\u003cbr\u003eRaised locally and acclimated to aquarium conditions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eL519 Rio Itenez Plecos stay much smaller than common plecos, making them a better choice for most home aquariums. They are helpful algae and biofilm grazers, but they are not a replacement for regular tank maintenance. They still need clean water, proper food, driftwood, and hiding spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdult males may develop bristles and may guard caves once mature. Provide enough caves and hiding spaces if keeping more than one pleco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive arrival guarantee. Please acclimate slowly and place them into a fully cycled aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"River Roots Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48748878725376,"sku":null,"price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/riverrootsaquatic.com\/products\/l519-rio-itenez-pleco-tank-bred-in-texas-peaceful-bottom-cleaner-1-25-2-0-in-juveniles","provider":"River Roots Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}