Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are exceptionally shy, peaceful, and reclusive, often remaining completely out of sight for days at a time. Males may show minor territoriality towards each other over the most desirable small caves, but injuries are exceedingly rare. Providing a dimly lit environment with dark substrate encourages them to venture out more often.

Diet

Omnivore

Their diet is predominantly carnivorous, and they require highly nutritious, appropriately sized meaty foods. Crushed carnivore pellets, micro-worms, baby brine shrimp, and finely chopped bloodworms are excellent choices. They will completely ignore algae, so providing a dedicated, protein-rich diet is critical for their survival.

Sex ratio

Pair

Sexing is difficult until they are fully mature, at which point males develop longer, more prominent odontodes on their cheeks and fins. Males also possess a broader, blockier head shape when viewed directly from above. Keeping a small colony with a ratio of more females to males offers the best chance for natural pairing.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They should be fed once a day, with food introduced just as the tank lights are turned off. Because they are tiny and easily intimidated, target feeding near their chosen caves is often highly beneficial. Ensure that the food particles are small enough for their diminutive mouths to process.

Bioload

Being one of the smallest known plecos, their bioload impact is minimal, making them suitable for smaller aquariums. However, their carnivorous diet means their waste can degrade water quality slightly faster than similarly sized herbivorous fish. A mature filter and routine weekly partial water changes are more than adequate for this diminutive species.

Flow

Stagnant

Like many Xingu river species, they thrive in highly oxygenated water with moderate to strong flow. Utilizing a powerhead to create a current across the bottom of the tank closely mimics their natural habitat. High temperatures combined with vigorous surface agitation are essential for their well-being.

Reproduction

Oviparous

They are secretive cave spawners that can be challenging to breed due to their very specific requirements and tiny clutch sizes. The male will select a very narrow cave, trap the female, and subsequently guard the small clutch of eggs. Raising the fry requires pristine water and microscopic live foods like infusoria.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are extremely peaceful and somewhat fragile due to their tiny adult size. They must be kept with equally peaceful, small, and non-boisterous tank mates like dwarf rasboras or small tetras. Aggressive bottom feeders or large, fast-swimming fish will easily outcompete them for food and cause severe stress.

Tank level

Bottom

They are obligate bottom dwellers that will almost never be seen swimming in the open water column. They require a densely decorated tank floor featuring many tiny crevices, small ceramic caves, and complex driftwood pieces. Without tight spaces to wedge themselves into, they will fail to thrive.