Red Fin Tiger Pleco (L243)
Peckoltia cavatica
The L243 is a tiny, peaceful pleco featuring lively eyes and striking dark bands. It thrives in fast-flowing river setups with abundant rocky crevices and natural wood cavities.
Water Temperature
25 - 29 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.4
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
10 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 120 L
Minimum group
>= 1
GH
1 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
35 - 280 ppm
Conductivity
55 - 438 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Comes from the Rupununi River system (Guyana). Often found in fast-flowing rivers with rocky bottoms dotted with large stumps and wood, where crevices guarantee perfect and safe hiding places from predators.
Taxonomy and Morphology: L478 (Peckoltia cavatica). Dwarf pleco with a compact shape and stocky snout. The name "cavatica" derives from Latin and means "belonging to caves", highlighting its distinctly elusive and troglophilic nature.
Social Behavior: Shy character, lives locked in its den. Generally comes out in the dark to feed or explore. It is strongly territorial towards its conspecifics; to host multiple specimens, countless rocks and roots are essential.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Presents a sharp contrast between the golden/orange background color and the 4 or 5 powerful vertical black bands. Head speckled with dark. Adult males display tufts of odontodes (epidermal spines) on the sides of the caudal peduncle.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: An 80 cm (32 inches) tank is suitable for one or two specimens. The ideal substrate is sand with many flat rocks stacked to form crevices ("river manifold"). Obligatory presence of roots and wood to scrape, and strong water flow.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous Loricariid. Greedily accepts commercial sinking tablets and wafers for bottom fish, enriched with spirulina or krill. Regular integration of zucchini, potatoes, and frozen bloodworms is essential to keep it strong.
Water Quality: Warm-water Amazonian fish (25-29°C / 77-84°F). Prefers slightly acidic or neutral pH and low-moderate hardness. Powerful biological filters to process the notable metabolic waste typical of all wood-consuming plecos.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Suitable for most community tanks. Gets along with small and large characins, non-aggressive loricariids (Avoid large Pseudacanthicus) and peaceful cichlids. Does not prey on small schooling fish.
Aquarium Breeding: Similar to other Peckoltia: they lay their eggs in cylindrical single-opening caves. Stimulated by thermal or atmospheric pressure shifts. The male will guard the brood by blocking the cave entrance with his body.
Risks and Diseases: The spines of the odontodes can get irremediably entangled in cotton nets: use plastic containers or fine (nylon) nets. Vulnerable to the Ichthyophthirius parasite in case of thermal shock.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Comes from the Rupununi River system (Guyana). Often found in fast-flowing rivers with rocky bottoms dotted with large stumps and wood, where crevices guarantee perfect and safe hiding places from predators.
Origin
Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Peckoltia cavatica is largely peaceful, especially towards tank mates. While they mind their own business mostly, they may become defensive during specific periods. Providing visual barriers and adequate space mitigates most behavioral issues.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Peckoltia cavatica is primarily omnivorous and enjoys a diverse diet. In captivity, they eagerly accept high-quality prepared foods, and appropriate frozen or live foods. Providing a varied menu ensures they receive all necessary nutrients for vibrant colors and health.
- Life expectancy
- 5-10 years
- Under proper care, they can live for 5 to 10 years, and sometimes up to 12 years in captivity. Their lifespan is maximized by keeping water conditions pristine, maintaining high oxygen levels, and offering a highly varied diet. Regular aquarium maintenance and minimizing stress from aggressive tankmates will support their health over the years.
- Adult size
- 10 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 10 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 7.18 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Peckoltia cavatica (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Group
- Maintaining a proper sex ratio of mixed group is advisable for this species. Males tend to be visually distinct from females in certain aspects, making sexing possible in mature specimens. In breeding setups, close monitoring is essential to prevent excessive harassment.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is recommended to feed Peckoltia cavatica moderate portions once a day. Only offer an amount they can completely consume within a few minutes to prevent water fouling. Occasional fasting days can also be beneficial for their digestive system.
- Bioload
- The bioload produced by Peckoltia cavatica is moderate due to their medium size and metabolic rate. They require robust filtration to keep water parameters stable and pristine. Regular water changes are highly recommended to ensure their optimal health.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- This fish prefers moderate water currents that mimic its natural habitat. Proper water flow is crucial for maintaining adequate oxygenation levels. Position filter outlets or powerheads carefully to provide both flowing and calmer resting areas.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Peckoltia cavatica in captivity is challenging and requires specific water parameters. They are cave spawners and often exhibit fascinating courtship behaviors. Providing ample suitable structures will significantly increase the survival rate of the fry.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- This species is generally peaceful and makes a specific addition to a home aquarium. They can be housed with other compatible species that occupy different water levels. Caution should be taken when selecting tank mates to avoid any conflicts.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- These fish predominantly occupy the bottom levels of the aquarium. They enjoy exploring their surroundings and often interact with the tank decor. Ensuring sufficient space in their preferred zone is absolutely important for their well-being.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01549, b = 2.96
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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