Candy striped pleco (L015)
Peckoltia vittata
Also known as L015, Candy Stripe Pleco, Candy Striped Plec
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–84°F
- 25–29°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.4
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- 115 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Origin
- Lower Amazon basin of Brazil, including the Rio Xingu.
Overview
A small, easygoing pleco for a tank around 115 liters. Feed a varied omnivore diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp, plus some algae wafers and blanched vegetables, since it needs protein and will not survive on algae alone. Generally peaceful but a little territorial around its cave, which makes it a good community choice.
In the wild
Lives in soft, slightly acidic, moderately flowing Amazon waters with submerged wood and rocky cover. It is an omnivore that scavenges biofilm, small invertebrates, and some plant matter, and it is not an efficient algae eater. Wants driftwood, caves, and gentle current.
Good to know
One of the earliest L-numbers, L015 is the described species Peckoltia vittata. It carries bold cream-to-gold bands over a deep brown body. Peckoltia are small, cave-dwelling plecos closely related to the Hypancistrus group.
Did you know
As one of the very first plecos to get an L-number, the candy stripe has been in the hobby since the L-system was invented in the late 1980s.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Candy striped pleco (L015) is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Marbled hatchetfish
Carnegiella strigata
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 32 gal (120 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Duboulayi's rainbowfish
Melanotaenia duboulayi
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Firemouth cichlid
Thorichthys meeki
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Silver hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus levis
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 30 gal (112 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Three spot gourami
Trichopodus trichopterus
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)
Bugeye squeaker
Synodontis contractus
Freshwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Candy striped pleco (L015) need?
A Candy striped pleco (L015) needs at least 30 gal (115 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Candy striped pleco (L015) need?
A Candy striped pleco (L015) is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.4.
How big does a Candy striped pleco (L015) get?
An adult Candy striped pleco (L015) reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
Related species
5.1 in (13 cm)42 gal (160 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Spotted tiger pleco
Peckoltia brevis
5.1 in (13 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)29 gal (110 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Orinoco dwarf pleco
Peckoltia lineola
4.3 in (11 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
5.5 in (14 cm)53 gal (200 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Bola pleco
Peckoltia bachi
5.5 in (14 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Brown dot peckoltia
Peckoltia oligospila
5.9 in (15 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)53 gal (200 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Imperial coal pleco
Peckoltia pankimpuju
5.9 in (15 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Orinoco peckoltia
Peckoltia lujani
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)