Big spot pleco
Ancistomus feldbergae
Also known as L012, L013, Feldberg's pleco
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 79–86°F (26–30°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.2
- Adult size
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 66 gal (250 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Tocantins basin, Brazil
- Family
- Loricariidae
Overview
A sturdy spotted pleco that patrols rock seams and wood rather than sitting still. Keep one in a 250 liter tank with heavy stonework, caves and strong warm flow. It is an omnivore rather than a strict grazer, so feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and prawn alongside vegetable foods. It is peaceful with fish but will defend a chosen cave against other bottom dwellers.
In the wild
Ancistomus feldbergae lives in the Tocantins basin in Brazil, among rock in warm, fast, well-oxygenated water. Keep it at 26 to 30 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.2. The high temperature means oxygen has to be pushed, so circulation matters more than in a cooler tank.
Good to know
Ancistomus feldbergae reaches about 20 centimeters and is covered in bold pale spots over a dark ground. Ancistomus was separated from Peckoltia to hold a group of larger, longer-snouted species, so older references and L-number lists often still place this fish under Peckoltia. It is a cave spawner.
Did you know
Juveniles wear polka dots the size of their eyes; adulthood shrinks the print run.
Tank mates
Big spot pleco is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Orinoco cupid cichlid
Biotodoma wavriniFreshwater4.7 in (12 cm)66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Longbody eartheater
Gymnogeophagus mekinosFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)66 gal (250 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)
Marble whiptail
Loricaria simillimaFreshwater10.2 in (26 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Head-spot delta pleco
Lasiancistrus tentaculatusFreshwater6.7 in (17 cm)66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Wolverine pleco
Hopliancistrus wolverineFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)66 gal (250 L)81–88°F (27–31°C)La Plata eartheater
Gymnogeophagus australisFreshwater6.1 in (15.5 cm)66 gal (250 L)61–79°F (16–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Big spot pleco need?
A Big spot pleco needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Big spot pleco need?
Big spot pleco are comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
How big do Big spot pleco get?
An adult Big spot pleco reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Big spot pleco?
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Related species
Ghost pleco
Ancistomus snethlageaeFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Giant whiptail catfish
Sturisomatichthys aureusFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Para pleco
Peckoltia sabajiFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Macushi pleco
Hypostomus macushiFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Red bruno pleco
Hypostomus soniaeFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Royal whiptail catfish
Sturisoma panamenseFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)