Adonis Pleco

Nightmare Morphology:

Apart from the record size, the *Acanthicus* is entirely covered with spikes (odontodes), lacking smooth scaly scutes. Even the eye is covered by scaly eyelids (omega eye). It possesses two frighteningly long filamentous extensions at the ends of the caudal fin.

Social Behavior:

Absolute hostility towards any other being that dares to occupy its piece of the bottom. It will physically fight anyone for food. Compatible only in monumental community tanks together with equally mastodontic armored fish, but that occupy high water zones like huge Arowanas, nut-eating Pacus, or huge Cichla Cichlids.

Setup and Dimensional Danger:

The trade of the Adonis Pleco is highly controversial. Sold at 5 cm (2 inches) for their extreme beauty, they become bulky 1-meter black monsters. Unless you own a customized indoor aquarium of over 2000-3000 liters (500-800 gallons, at least as wide as a double bed), this fish must not be purchased. Any tank decor that does not weigh several kilograms will be overturned. They need huge concrete pipes to hide in. When handled, its countless sharp spines will pierce not only nets, but also plastic transport bags or human skin.

Diet:

Anything that fits in its mouth will be eaten. In nature they act as waste-crushing machines. In captivity they need monumental rations: fish steaks, prawns (half a kilo at a time), salmon fillets, and huge handfuls of large sinking pellets. It is essential to siphon the mastodontic fecal residues it produces almost daily.

Water Quality:

Water management for such a fish requires a 'sump' (underlying settling tank) filled with tens of liters of biological filter media and powerful industrial pumps.