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Species profile

Fine-spotted Plecostomus L016/L030

Spectracanthicus punctatissimus

Common names: Fine-spotted Plecostomus L016/L030, L016, L030

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 12 cm

Typical adult length 9–12 cm.

Up to 12 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Brazil

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced keeper with a warm high-oxygen pleco setup
  • A species aquarium with several correctly sized caves
  • An aquarist prepared for targeted protein-rich feeding

Think carefully if

  • The aquarium has weak oxygenation
  • Caves are limited or shared with aggressive plecos
  • Heavy feeding cannot be balanced with strict maintenance

Fine-spotted Plecostomus L016/L030 is a South American loricariid represented by L016, L030. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A dark Spectracanthicus covered in numerous very small pale spots across the body and fins. The dense fine spotting separates it from species with larger snowball markings.

Use the L-number identification L016, L030 together with the current assignment Spectracanthicus punctatissimus. Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males usually develop a broader head and more pronounced cheek and pectoral odontodes. Females are fuller through the abdomen, though juveniles are hard to sex.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter
About 360–450 litres an hour
Suggested heater
About 100–125 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume
90 litres
Minimum tank length
75 cm
Minimum group size
1
Recommended group size
3
Activity level
Moderate
Flow preference
High
Planting preference
Lightly planted
Hiding places
Yes
Lid recommended
Yes
Jumping risk
Low

Use warm, highly oxygenated water, strong filtration, rocky cover and several close-fitting caves. Clean conditions are essential when feeding protein-rich foods.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Nocturnal and territorial around caves, especially toward similar plecos. It normally ignores peaceful midwater fish.

Can be kept singly. A pair or group requires several appropriately sized caves and enough floor area for every adult to feed without being trapped.

Mature males commonly defend caves and favoured feeding areas from similarly shaped loricariids.

Choose calm warm-water companions and provide each bottom fish with a separate shelter. Do not crowd several adult males into one cave cluster.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
25–30 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–12
KH
0–6
TDS
30–220
Stability importance
Critical

Maintain stable clean water with strong oxygenation. Warm water, protein-rich food, wood waste, and crowded hardscape can rapidly reduce oxygen and degrade water quality.

Parameter caveat
Acclimate slowly to temperature and conductivity changes. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, control nitrate, and inspect caves and rockwork for trapped waste.

Feeding

Diet types
Carnivore, Insectivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Quality carnivore sinking pelletUse a protein-rich sinking food near each shelter.
  • Frozen brine shrimp, mysis, or insect larvaeOffer varied aquatic animal foods.
  • Chopped mussel or prawnFeed clean small portions and remove remains promptly.
  • Soft omnivore waferProvides fibre and plant matter alongside the protein-rich staple.

Feed a protein-oriented omnivorous diet with quality carnivore pellets, crustacean and insect foods, plus some vegetable or algae-based material.

Feed after lights dim and distribute food near every occupied shelter. Confirm that subordinate fish eat and remove rich leftovers before they affect water quality.

Breeding

Breeding type
Cave Spawner, Egg Layer
Breeding difficulty
Difficult
Breeding temperature
27.5 °C
Breeding pH
6.5
Brood or egg count
Usually several dozen adhesive eggs, with clutch size depending on species and female size.
Incubation
7 days
Parental care
Paternal care
Baby foods
  • Mature biofilmProvides continuous grazing after fry leave the cave.
  • Fine powdered sinking foodFeed tiny portions close to shelter several times daily.
  • Newly hatched brine shrimpUse as supplementary protein once fry can take moving prey.

Male-guarded cave spawning is expected and captive breeding is possible, but it is less routine than breeding common Hypancistrus. Eggs and fry require clean, oxygen-rich water.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
Natural habitat
Fast-Flowing Stream, Freshwater River, Rocky Shoreline
Aquarium contexts
Breeding Tank, Freshwater Aquarium, High-Flow Aquarium, Species-Only Aquarium
Audience level
Advanced

Classification

Profile type
Recognized species
Genus
Spectracanthicus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
Spectracanthicus sp. (L016), Historic L-number designation retained for identification., Spectracanthicus sp. (L030), Historic L-number designation retained for identification.

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Furunculus Hypancistrus L199

Hypancistrus furunculus

Care level
Advanced
Adult size
9.6–12 cm
Minimum tank
90 litres
Temperature
26–31 °C

Fuscomaculatus Plecostomus L233

Hypostomus fuscomaculatus

Care level
Intermediate
Adult size
22.5–30 cm
Minimum tank
300 litres
Temperature
22–29 °C

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