Rare Plecos for Sale UK | L-Number Plecostomus

Rare Plecos for Sale in the UK

MTF Aquatics is one of the UK’s most reliable sources for rare and exotic Plecostomus — particularly L-number species that are genuinely difficult to find through standard UK retail channels.

All our plecos are sourced via transhipping directly from specialist breeders and exporters in South America. Every fish arrives with a Live Arrival Guarantee and is health-checked before dispatch.

L-Number Pleco Species We Stock

L190 Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus)

The L190 Royal Pleco is one of the most visually striking plecos available. Its bold black-and-cream striped pattern and regal bearing make it a centrepiece fish in any large aquarium. Native to the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia, Royal Plecos are wood-eaters — driftwood is an essential part of their diet and environment, not just decoration. At 10″, our specimens are already mature, impressive animals. Adults can reach 40–45cm in captivity.

L191 Pleco (Broken Line Royal Pleco)

The L191 is closely related to the L190 but displays a broken or interrupted stripe pattern, giving it a slightly different — and to many eyes, more dramatic — appearance. Like the L190, it requires driftwood as a dietary staple and prefers a well-oxygenated aquarium with strong flow replicating its native river habitat. XL specimens like ours are rare in the UK trade.

Suttoni Blue Eye Panaque (Panaque suttoni / L226)

The Suttoni Blue Eye Panaque — also listed as L226 — is one of the most sought-after plecos in the entire hobby. Its distinctive electric blue eyes set against a dark body make it unmistakable. It is a true wood-eater like other Panaque species and requires a diet that includes driftwood, blanched vegetables, and quality pleco wafers. At 10–12″, our Suttoni specimens are fully mature adults. These are exceptional, museum-quality fish.

Rare Corydoras (Corydoras hoplisoma aff. concolor — CW217)

Not strictly a pleco, but frequently sought by the same collectors — the CW217 is an undescribed Corydoras species with striking metallic patterning that places it among the most beautiful small catfish in the hobby. We stock both singles and multibuy groups. These are wild-caught specimens unavailable through standard UK wholesale channels.

Pleco Care Requirements

Tank Size

Small L-numbers (under 15cm): minimum 3ft × 1.5ft
Medium L-numbers (15–30cm): minimum 4ft × 2ft
Large species such as Royal Plecos (30cm+): minimum 5ft × 2ft

Water Parameters

Temperature: 25–29°C
pH: 6.0–7.2 (slightly acidic preferred for most South American species)
GH: 2–12 dGH
Flow: moderate to strong — most L-numbers come from fast-flowing rivers
Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 at all times

Feeding

Wood-eating Panaque species (L190, L191, Suttoni) must have access to driftwood at all times — they rasp it continuously and it is a crucial part of their diet, not optional enrichment. Supplement with:

Quality pleco wafers and algae wafers
Blanched courgette, cucumber, and sweet potato
Occasional meaty foods (bloodworm, Daphnia)

Non-wood-eating L-numbers (most others) still benefit from driftwood as cover but have a more varied diet including algae, wafers, and meaty foods.

Compatibility

Most large L-number plecos are peaceful with fish of similar size but territorial with their own species and other plecos — provide adequate hiding spots and visual breaks. They make excellent companions for large South American cichlids, Arowana, large Tetras, and Silver Dollars.

Buy Rare Plecos Online — UK Delivery

Browse our current pleco stock in the L-Number Pleco shop section. We receive new specimens regularly through our South American transhipping connections — if you are looking for a specific L-number not currently listed, contact us and we will do our best to source it.

All plecos are dispatched Monday–Thursday with specialist live-fish couriers. Insulated packaging and heat packs are included as standard. Next-day delivery to mainland UK.

Rare Plecos for Sale UK: L-Number & Exotic Species | MTF Aquatics