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Species profile

Dumus Plane Plecostomus L244

Pseudolithoxus dumus

Common names: Dumus Plane Plecostomus L244, L244, Plane Plecostomus

Recognized speciesPlecostomus
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Adult size

Up to 15 cm

Typical adult length 12–15 cm.

Up to 15 cm

Countries of origin

  • See all stock from Venezuela

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

  • An experienced rheophilic-catfish keeper
  • A high-flow rock aquarium with abundant narrow crevices
  • An aquarist able to feed and observe nocturnal fish

Think carefully if

  • Oxygen levels may fall during warm weather
  • The aquarium has limited rock shelter
  • You want an easy, well-documented breeding pleco

Dumus Plane Plecostomus L244 is a South American loricariid currently filed as Pseudolithoxus dumus. Adults reach approximately 15.0 cm. It requires stable, oxygen-rich water, suitable caves, and deliberate feeding.

Appearance and Identification

A small, extremely flattened plane pleco with a dark body and fine pale spotting or mottling. Broad fins and a low profile allow it to hold tightly to rock in strong current.

This profile is identified by L244 and the current assignment Pseudolithoxus dumus. Do not merge it with a visually similar L-number without matching collection locality and diagnostic features.

Mature males are expected to develop stronger cheek and pectoral odontodes and a broader head. Females become fuller, though dependable sexing information is limited.

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 very high oxygenation, brisk flow, clean rock surfaces and narrow secure crevices. The aquarium must remain free of accumulated organic waste and prolonged oxygen shortages.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Secretive and generally peaceful with midwater fish, but territorial toward similar flattened plecos. Most feeding activity occurs in subdued light.

Can be maintained in a small group when every adult has a separate cave and feeding area.

Males defend tight caves but serious conflict is limited when the aquarium provides abundant hardscape.

Keep with peaceful current-tolerant species and avoid crowding the bottom. Each plane pleco needs an individual shelter and access to food.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature
24–29 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
GH
1–12
KH
0–6
TDS
30–220
Stability importance
Critical

Maintain stable, clean, oxygen-rich freshwater. Strong filtration and gas exchange are essential because warm water, protein-rich feeding, and loricariid waste can reduce oxygen and impair water quality.

Parameter caveat
Acclimate slowly to changes in temperature and conductivity. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, control nitrate, and never allow caves or rockwork to create stagnant waste pockets.

Feeding

Diet types
Aufwuchs Grazer, Insectivore, Omnivore
Feeding frequency
Daily
Preferred foods
  • Fine carnivore or omnivore waferUse a sinking food that breaks into small particles on rock surfaces.
  • Frozen cyclops, daphnia, or insect larvaeSmall animal foods suit the compact mouth and natural foraging style.
  • Natural aufwuchs and biofilmMaintain mature stones and wood for continuous supplementary grazing.
  • Fine spirulina waferOffer as part of a mixed diet rather than as the sole food.

Use a varied aufwuchs-based diet with quality sinking foods, some algae or plant matter and small invertebrate foods. Neither vegetables nor meat alone should dominate.

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

Breeding

Breeding type
Cave Spawner, Egg Layer
Breeding difficulty
Specialist
Breeding temperature
27 °C
Breeding pH
6.5
Brood or egg count
Usually several dozen adhesive eggs deposited in a tight cave.
Incubation
7 days
Parental care
Paternal care
Baby foods
  • Mature biofilmContinuous grazing supports fry between targeted feeds.
  • Finely powdered sinking foodFeed tiny portions close to the breeding cave several times daily.
  • Newly hatched brine shrimpUseful supplementary protein once fry leave the cave and can take moving prey.

Reliable aquarium breeding information is scarce. It is considered a likely male-guarded crevice or cave spawner, but successful methods remain specialist knowledge.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin
South America, Venezuela
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
Pseudolithoxus
Family
Loricariidae
Species group
Fish, Plecostomus
Previous scientific names
Pseudolithoxus sp. (L244), Historic L-number designation retained as a common identifier.

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Dwarf Panaque L296

Panaqolus sp. (L296)

Care level
Intermediate
Minimum tank
90 litres
Temperature
24–29 °C

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