Care

The Honeycomb Plec is a beautiful, large suckermouth catfish that is known from both the rapids and slower flowing sections of rivers, on rocky and soft substrates. Juveniles are known to dwell in smaller streams and oxbow lakes.

This species grows to a substantial size and will require a spacious, mature aquarium with soft, acidic water. Provide plenty of shady retreats amongst bogwood and sturdy rocky caves, ensuring all decor is secure as larger specimens can be a little clumsy at times. The water should be very well-filtered (adult fish produce a substantial amount of waste) and a moderate current/good level of oxygenation should be created by extra powerheads in order to simulate their natural riverine conditions. Ensure regular partial water changes are carried out to help keep nitrogenous wastes to a minimum. This species is generally peaceful, although it can be rather territorial with its own kind and similar species. More than one specimen may be kept in the same tank if it is spacious and multiple hiding places/visual barriers are provided. The Honeycomb Plec mixes well with medium sized characins, some of the more robust Corydoras catfish species, and many rheophilic cichlids.

Depending on various factors, including mood, sex, age, or surroundings, these fish are capable of quite considerable colour change. There is also a degree of geographical variance between specimens from different collection locations. H. faveolus differs from all other species of the genus Hypostomus by having a unique combination of pale blotches over a darker background in body and fins, and conspicuous keels on the head, predorsal region and lateral plates. The species name "faveolus" is derived from the Latin favus, meaning honeycomb, in reference to the reticulated colour pattern formed by the pale blotches within thin dark limits. May also be seen on sale as Faveolus Plec.

Feeding

An omnivorous species. Offer a variety of foodstuffs including sinking catfish pellets/tablets/algae wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, Spirulina-enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped krill etc, as well as a generous amount of vegetable matter such as blanched spinach, kale, courgette, cucumber, potato etc.

Breeding

This species has been bred in the home aquarium, but details are few and far between. It is thought that the low incidence of breeding success could be due to the relative scarceness of this fish in the trade, and also because many aquarists keep single specimens. Like the majority of other Hypostomus species, this is a cave spawner, with the male providing paternal care. The juvenile fish develop the distinctive mesh pattern fairly early on. If you have a mature male-female pair, provide them with a choice of several caves that are  just slightly longer than the fish, but not excessively wide (clay drainage pipes blocked off at one end with slate can work well). It is possible that well-conditioned fish could then be triggered into spawning by carrying out a 30% water change with slightly cooler water.