TankBud

Candy striped pleco (L015)

Peckoltia vittata

Also known as L015, Candy Stripe Pleco, Candy Striped Plec

FreshwaterFish

Candy striped pleco (L015) (Peckoltia vittata)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

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
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Lower Amazon basin of Brazil, including the Rio Xingu.

Overview

The candy striped pleco (L015) is a small, easygoing pleco for the bottom of a community tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The candy striped pleco (L015) was one of the very first plecos to get an L-number. It has been in the hobby since the L-system was invented in the late 1980s.

Caring for the candy striped pleco (L015)

Give the candy striped pleco (L015) at least 30 gal (115 L), with driftwood, caves and a gentle current. Keep the water soft, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.4.

It is an omnivore that needs protein, and it is not an efficient algae eater. It will not survive on algae alone. Feed a varied diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp, plus some algae wafers and blanched vegetables.

The candy striped pleco is generally peaceful and a good community choice. It is a solitary fish, and it gets a little territorial around its cave. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

The candy striped pleco (L015) is the described species Peckoltia vittata, in the family Loricariidae. It carries bold cream-to-gold bands over a deep brown body. Peckoltia are small, cave-dwelling plecos closely related to the Hypancistrus group.

In the wild

The candy striped pleco (L015) comes from the lower Amazon basin of Brazil, including the Rio Xingu. It lives in soft, slightly acidic, moderately flowing water with submerged wood and rocky cover. There it scavenges biofilm, small invertebrates and some plant matter.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

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.

What does a candy striped pleco (L015) eat?

A candy striped pleco (L015) is an omnivore that needs protein, such as sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Add some algae wafers and blanched vegetables, since it will not survive on algae alone.

How big does a candy striped pleco (L015) get?

An adult candy striped pleco (L015) reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Related species