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Dwarf spiny pleco

Micracanthicus vandragti

Also known as Hypancistrus vandragti, L280

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf spiny pleco (Micracanthicus vandragti)

Care at a glance

Temperature
79–86°F
26–30°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Cave spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Ventuari river, Venezuela

Overview

The dwarf spiny pleco is one of the smallest true plecos, a peaceful bottom dweller for a warm community tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Small as it is, the dwarf spiny pleco carries the same heavy plating and spines as plecos many times its size.

Caring for the dwarf spiny pleco

Keep a single dwarf spiny pleco or a pair in a tank of at least 29 gal (110 L). Build plenty of small caves and gaps from a scatter of small rocks and wood, over a sand floor. Even at this size, it will defend a favorite crevice.

Give it brisk flow and warm, clean, well-oxygenated water that stays stable. Keep it soft and acidic to neutral, at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2.

It hides among rock and wood by day and forages at night. Being small and rather carnivorous, it wants finely offered protein, such as small sinking pellets and frozen bloodworm. Add a little vegetable.

The dwarf spiny pleco is peaceful with tank mates and suits a calm, soft-water community. It has been bred in aquariums, spawning in caves like its relatives.

Good to know

Micracanthicus vandragti is a member of the family Loricariidae and the only species in its genus. It was described in 2011, and the genus name means small spine. Some workers place it back within Hypancistrus. It is black with bright white spots.

In the wild

The dwarf spiny pleco comes from the Ventuari river and the nearby Orinoco in Venezuela. It keeps to rocky shallows in warm, soft, oxygen-rich water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The dwarf spiny pleco 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 dwarf spiny pleco need?

A dwarf spiny pleco needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a dwarf spiny pleco need?

A dwarf spiny pleco is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.

What does a dwarf spiny pleco eat?

A dwarf spiny pleco is rather carnivorous and wants finely offered protein, such as small sinking pellets and frozen bloodworm. Give it a little vegetable as well.

How big does a dwarf spiny pleco get?

An adult dwarf spiny pleco reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

How does a dwarf spiny pleco breed?

The dwarf spiny pleco is a cave spawner like its relatives, and it has been bred in aquariums.

Related species