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Species profile

Tocantins Plecostomus L086

Spectracanthicus tocantinensis

Common names: Tocantins Plecostomus L086, L086

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 of warm-water cave plecos
  • A species setup with strong filtration and several caves
  • An aquarist prepared for targeted nocturnal feeding

Think carefully if

  • Oxygenation or maintenance may be inconsistent
  • Aggressive cave competitors already occupy the bottom
  • You want a visible algae-grazing pleco

Tocantins Plecostomus L086 is a South American loricariid represented by L086. It requires stable oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate species-appropriate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A compact dark Spectracanthicus with fine pale spotting across the body and fins. The broad head and strong cheek odontodes become more obvious in mature fish.

Use the L-number identification L086 together with the current assignment Spectracanthicus tocantinensis. Do not merge it with visually similar forms without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males usually develop a broader head and stronger cheek and pectoral odontodes. Females become fuller through the abdomen, while juveniles are difficult to sex reliably.

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

Provide warm, highly oxygenated water, powerful filtration, rock cover and several tight caves. Protein-rich feeding requires careful removal of uneaten food and waste.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Mostly nocturnal and territorial around caves. It usually ignores peaceful midwater fish but may fight similar plecos over shelter.

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.

Use calm warm-water companions and give every bottom fish a separate refuge. Avoid crowding 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 sinking carnivore foods, small crustacean or insect foods and some plant matter for variety.

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.

Captive cave spawning is possible. The male guards the clutch, while eggs and fry require clean, strongly oxygenated water and careful feeding.

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. (L086), Historic L-number designation retained for identification.

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Care level
Advanced
Adult size
11.2–15 cm
Minimum tank
100 litres
Temperature
25–30 °C

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Care level
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Minimum tank
250 litres
Temperature
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Care level
Specialist
Adult size
30–40 cm
Minimum tank
600 litres
Temperature
24–29 °C

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