Scarlet cactus pleco (L025)
Pseudacanthicus pirarara
Also known as L025, Scarlet Pleco, Red Devil Pleco, Pseudacanthicus sp. L025
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 79–86°F
- 26–30°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 15.7 in
- 40 cm
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal
- 450 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Origin
- Rio Xingu and its tributaries in Para, Brazil.
Overview
The scarlet cactus pleco (L025) is a large, heavily armored pleco for the bottom of a very big tank. It is for experienced keepers.
Did you know
The scarlet cactus pleco (L025) carries rows of stiff spines, and they are not just for show. A big cactus pleco can wedge itself into a cave with them so firmly that it is nearly impossible to remove without harming the fish.
Caring for the scarlet cactus pleco (L025)
The scarlet cactus pleco (L025) needs a tank of at least 119 gal (450 L), with heavy rockwork and lots of caves. It wants strong current and high oxygen. Keep the water at 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5.
It is a true carnivore, so skip a vegetable-based diet. Feed frozen or fresh prawn, mussel, chopped fish, mysis and bloodworms, along with quality sinking foods.
This pleco is solitary, aggressive and very territorial. Choose its tank mates with caution and house it only with robust fish. Give it a cave it can defend as its own. Breeding it is hard.
Good to know
The scarlet cactus pleco (L025) was long traded under that L-number before it was formally described as Pseudacanthicus pirarara. Its genus holds the cactus or spiny plecos, armored with rows of sharp odontodes down the flanks and fins. Adults show black spotting on a dark body with deep red-orange fins.
In the wild
The scarlet cactus pleco (L025) lives in warm, clear, fast rocky reaches of the Rio Xingu and its tributaries in Para, Brazil. It often stays near rapids, sheltering under boulders and in rock caves. It uses its rasping mouth to work over rock and wood, but it feeds mainly on animal matter such as invertebrates and carrion.
Common questions
What size tank does a scarlet cactus pleco (L025) need?
A scarlet cactus pleco (L025) needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a scarlet cactus pleco (L025) need?
A scarlet cactus pleco (L025) is comfortable at 79–86°F (26–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a scarlet cactus pleco (L025) eat?
A scarlet cactus pleco (L025) is a true carnivore, not a vegetable eater. Feed it frozen or fresh prawn, mussel, chopped fish, mysis and bloodworms, with quality sinking foods.
How big does a scarlet cactus pleco (L025) get?
An adult scarlet cactus pleco (L025) reaches about 15.7 in (40 cm).
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