Dwarf spiny pleco

Micracanthicus vandragti

Also known as Hypancistrus vandragti, L280

FreshwaterFish

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
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Ventuari river, Venezuela
Family: Loricariidae

Overview

The dwarf spiny pleco is one of the smallest true plecos, so a single fish or a pair fits a modest tank, though even at this size it will defend a favorite crevice. It hides among rock and wood by day and forages at night. It is peaceful with tankmates and suits a calm nano or soft-water community. Being small and rather carnivorous, it wants finely offered protein: small sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and similar, with a little vegetable. Give it plenty of small caves and gaps in a tank of around 110 liters with warm, clean, well-oxygenated water.

In the wild

This miniature pleco comes from the Ventuari river and the nearby Orinoco in Venezuela, keeping to rocky shallows in warm, soft, oxygen-rich water. Recreate that with a scatter of small rocks and wood forming many little caves, over a sand floor, with brisk flow. Keep the water soft and acidic to neutral, roughly pH 5.5 to 7.2, and warm at about 26 to 30 C. Good oxygen and stable, clean water suit this small, warmth-loving fish.

Good to know

Micracanthicus vandragti is a member of Loricariidae and the only species in its genus, described in 2011. At around 5 centimeters it is one of the smallest plecos in the world, black with bright white spots. The genus name means small spine. Some workers place it back within Hypancistrus. It has been bred in aquaria, a cave spawner like its relatives.

Did you know

This is one of the smallest armored catfishes known: a fully grown adult is only about 4 to 5 centimeters long, yet it carries the same heavy plating and spines as plecos many times its size.