Butterfly Pleco

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Orinoco River, in South America (Venezuela and Colombia). Lives anchored on heavy stones or wood in rushing rapids, clear streams and highly oxygenated forest bays.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Butterfly Pleco (Dekeyseria picta, often known as L168 or L052, related genus to Zonancistrus). Has a conspicuous flat and widened head ("butterfly" when viewed from above). Very spiny bony plates and a wide snout.

Social Behavior: Predominantly nocturnal "sucker" fish. Extremely static during the day. Reveals strong intraspecific aggression (defends wood with blows of the tail), so it is best to house a single specimen unless you have tanks over 120 cm (48 inches).

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Like a chameleon, it changes its livery based on mood or substrate! In dazzling shape it boasts black-brown "zebra" stripes alternating with saffron or honey color. Males develop an impressive spiny hair (odontodes) on the flanks and pectoral fins.

Aquarium Setup: Rigorous decor based on many real roots (it absolutely needs them to digest) and narrow-slit rocky crevices. Sand on the bottom. The water must be hyper-oxygenated and moved (circulation pumps mandatory).

Diet and Feeding: It is not a 100% algivore! It is an omnivore oriented to the consumption of biofilm and wood (xylophagous), but greedily accepts (and requires) tablets for carnivorous bottom feeders, bloodworms and fresh vegetables (blanched zucchini, potatoes).

Water Quality: Prefers acidic, soft water stained by tannins (despite the current requirements). Avoid pollution (nitrates above 20 ppm) and aseptic tanks without surface biofilm.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Perfect companion for all fast fish that populate river biotopes beaten by the current: Hemigrammus, peaceful Ancistrus, Loricaria and large Tetras.

Aquarium Reproduction: Rare. Cave spawners. The male hides with the female in a narrow "tube" or bamboo, wedges the partner (fertilization) and then devotedly cares for the large amber eggs until they hatch, fanning them tirelessly.

Risks and Diseases: Death by starvation if placed in tanks that are too "clean", newly set up or without soft natural wood. Wounds in case of harsh territorial struggles between peers.