Leopard Frog Plecostomus L134
Peckoltia compta
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 8.2–11 cm
- Minimum tank
- 90 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Species profile
Leopard Cactus Plecostomus
Pseudacanthicus leopardus
Common names: Leopard Cactus Plecostomus, L114
Recognized speciesPlecostomus
Adult size
Up to 25 cm
Up to 25 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper with room for a large aquarium
Think carefully if
- You cannot provide about 648 litres for a fully grown fish
A big, spiny, spotted pleco known as L114, with a dark body covered in orange-tipped spots and rough, cactus-like skin. Keep alone or in a small group in 648 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A big, spiny, spotted pleco known as L114, with a dark body covered in orange-tipped spots and rough, cactus-like skin. It reaches about 25 cm, needs meaty foods and a very large tank, and its exact identity is uncertain.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Mature males are usually broader in the head, with more bristles on the body or snout.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 2,590–3,240 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 650–975 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 648 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 180 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide wood and caves, plenty of oxygen and steady flow. Most are active at night and need places to hide during the day.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Mostly active after dark, spending the day in a cave or under wood.
Usually kept singly or in a small group, in a tank with one cave for each fish.
Males can defend caves against other bottom-dwellers.
A peaceful community fish, with others that like similar water. It may compete for caves with other bottom-dwellers. Choose its tankmates with care.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Diet varies by species, from algae and wood to meaty foods. Feed sinking foods after lights-out.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Cave Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Spawns inside a cave, and one parent guards the eggs and young. Provide a suitable cave for each pair.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Brazil, South America
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Advanced
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Pseudacanthicus
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Species group
- Fish, Plecostomus
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Leopard Sailfin Plecostomus L165
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 30–50 cm
- Minimum tank
- 600 litres
- Temperature
- 23–29 °C
Lituratus Sailfin Plecostomus L196
Pterygoplichthys lituratus
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 25–37 cm
- Minimum tank
- 450 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Lujan’s Peckoltia L127
Peckoltia lujani
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 7.5–10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 90 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C