TankBud

Clown peckoltia (L134)

Peckoltia compta

Also known as L134, Leopard frog pleco

FreshwaterFish

Clown peckoltia (L134) (Peckoltia compta)
Christian Dresel http://www.aquaristikfreaks.de · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–84°F
25–29°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Brazil; Rio Tapajos and Rio Jamanxim basins (Amazon)

Overview

Keep one per tank in 110 liters or more, since they are mostly peaceful toward other species but territorial toward their own kind. Each fish claims roughly a 30 by 30 cm patch, so only try more than one in a large tank of 120 cm or longer with many caves. They are nocturnal bottom dwellers that hide by day, so expect to see them most after lights out. Hold the water warm at 25 to 29 C, soft, and at a pH of 6 to 7.5, and keep it well oxygenated. They are omnivores leaning carnivore and not a reliable algae eater, so offer sinking pellets and algae wafers plus frozen meaty foods like bloodworm, mysis, and artemia, along with blanched veg. They make a calm tankmate for other peaceful fish rather than a centerpiece.

In the wild

Clown peckoltia, also known as L134, come from the Rio Tapajos and Rio Jamanxim basins in Brazil, part of the wider Amazon. These are warm, well-oxygenated rivers with sandy or smooth rock bottoms and plenty of submerged wood. Give them a tank of at least 110 liters with a footprint around 75 to 80 cm, a sand or smooth substrate, driftwood to rasp on, and caves or rockwork for cover. Keep the water warm at 25 to 29 C, leaning toward the upper end near 27 to 28 C, soft, and slightly acidic to neutral at a pH of 6 to 7.5.

Good to know

This is Peckoltia compta, a dwarf to medium pleco in the family Loricariidae. Adults reach about 12 cm standard length, with hobby reports of 9 to 15 cm total length. It is a cave spawner, and captive breeding is achievable but moderately difficult.

Did you know

The L in L134 is a trade code, not a scientific name. Plecos enter the hobby faster than ichthyologists can describe them, so each new import gets an L-number from a German aquarium magazine until it earns a proper species name. This one picked up the common names Leopard Frog and Imperial Tiger pleco along the way before becoming Peckoltia compta.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Clown peckoltia (L134) is a mostly 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 Clown peckoltia (L134) need?

A Clown peckoltia (L134) needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Clown peckoltia (L134) need?

A Clown peckoltia (L134) is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does a Clown peckoltia (L134) get?

An adult Clown peckoltia (L134) reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

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