Description
Baryancistrus sp. LDA33 (True Snowball Pleco) – Elegant Contrast with a Peaceful Disposition
The Baryancistrus sp. LDA33, commonly known as the True Snowball Pleco, is a striking species from the blackwater regions of the Rio Negro in Brazil. Characterized by its velvety black body adorned with bright white or creamy-yellow spots, this pleco resembles a snowfall on a dark surface—hence its popular name. Unlike some other spotted plecos, the True Snowball Pleco features well-defined, evenly spaced spots and broad, rounded fins.
A member of the Baryancistrus genus, this pleco is peaceful and relatively shy, making it an excellent addition to a calm, well-decorated aquarium. It prefers soft, acidic water with plenty of oxygen and thrives in setups with driftwood, rockwork, and dim lighting. While not a major algae eater, it benefits from a varied omnivorous diet with a focus on high-quality sinking foods and protein supplements.
Key Features:
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Scientific Name: Baryancistrus sp. LDA33
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Common Name: True Snowball Pleco
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Coloration: Jet black body with bold, bright white to yellowish spots and subtle fin edging
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Temperament: Peaceful and shy—requires hiding places and low-stress environments
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Size: Reaches 11=12 inches in adulthood
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Tank Requirements: Minimum 30–40 gallons with soft, acidic, well-oxygenated water and stable conditions
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Diet: Omnivorous—prefers a mix of high-protein sinking pellets, frozen foods (e.g., bloodworms), and occasional vegetable matter
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Compatibility: Best kept with small, non-aggressive tank mates; ideal for peaceful community tanks
The True Snowball Pleco (LDA33) is a beautifully understated species with a captivating contrast and calm nature, making it a favorite among aquarists who appreciate both aesthetics and aquarium harmony.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
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Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DPD Next Day: 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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DX Next Day (Heavy Items & Small Aquariums): 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
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