TankBud

Clown peckoltia (L134)

Peckoltia compta

Also known as L134, Leopard frog pleco

FreshwaterFish

Clown peckoltia (L134) (Peckoltia compta)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

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
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Brazil; Rio Tapajos and Rio Jamanxim basins (Amazon)

Overview

The clown peckoltia (L134) is a dwarf to medium pleco that fits a calm community of peaceful fish. It is best with a little experience.

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. This one picked up the common names Leopard Frog and Imperial Tiger pleco along the way, before it became Peckoltia compta.

Caring for the clown peckoltia (L134)

Keep one clown peckoltia (L134) per tank, in at least 29 gal (110 L) with a footprint around 75 to 80 cm. Each fish claims roughly a 30 by 30 cm patch. Only try more than one in a tank of 120 cm or longer with many caves.

Use a sand or smooth substrate, driftwood to rasp on, and caves or rockwork for cover. Keep the water soft and well oxygenated, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Lean toward the upper end, near 27 to 28°C.

Clown peckoltias are omnivores leaning carnivore, and they are not a reliable algae eater. Offer sinking pellets and algae wafers, plus frozen meaty foods like bloodworm, mysis and artemia, along with blanched vegetables.

They are nocturnal and hide by day, so expect to see them most after lights out. They are mostly peaceful toward other species but territorial toward their own kind. They make a calm tank mate for other peaceful fish rather than a centerpiece. They are cave spawners, and breeding them in captivity is achievable but moderately difficult.

Good to know

The clown peckoltia (L134) is Peckoltia compta, a pleco in the family Loricariidae. Hobby reports give its total length as 9 to 15 cm.

In the wild

Clown peckoltias 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.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The 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.

What does a clown peckoltia (L134) eat?

A clown peckoltia (L134) is an omnivore leaning carnivore and not a reliable algae eater. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers and blanched vegetables, plus frozen meaty foods like bloodworm, mysis and artemia.

How big does a clown peckoltia (L134) get?

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

How does a clown peckoltia (L134) breed?

The clown peckoltia (L134) is a cave spawner. Breeding it in captivity is achievable but moderately difficult.

Related species