Spotted tiger pleco

Peckoltia brevis

Also known as LDA78, Brevis pleco

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 77–84°F (25–29°C)
pH: 6.0–7.4
Adult size: 5.1 in (13 cm)
Minimum tank: 42 gal (160 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Upper Amazon, Brazil and Peru
Family: Loricariidae

Overview

The spotted tiger pleco is an undemanding, community-friendly Peckoltia that stays small and settles quickly. It is solitary, so keep one to a tank, or a small group only in a larger tank with a cave for each, since adults claim a home stone. It works the bottom by night and is peaceful toward midwater tankmates. Feed it as an omnivore: sinking pellets and wafers, blanched vegetables such as courgette, and regular frozen foods like bloodworm. Give it driftwood and rock to shelter among, gentle warm water, and a tank of around 160 liters for a single adult.

In the wild

Peckoltia brevis lives among wood snags and rock in tributaries of the upper Amazon, in warm, gently flowing water. Furnish the tank with driftwood and stone arranged into caves and shaded gaps, over sand. Keep it warm at 25 to 29 C and around pH 6.0 to 7.4, clean and moderately moving. It is adaptable about exact chemistry, but wants cover to feel secure and enough flow to keep the water fresh and oxygenated.

Good to know

Peckoltia brevis is a member of Loricariidae reaching about 13 centimeters, its tan body crossed by dark saddles that often break up into spots and mottling toward the flanks. The species name brevis is Latin for short. Breeding is of moderate difficulty and follows the Peckoltia pattern: a male holds a narrow cave, the female lays inside, and he guards the clutch until the fry can fend for themselves.

Did you know

Its dark saddle bars do not stay tidy. Toward the middle of the body they break apart into loose spots and freckles, as though the tiger pattern ran out of ink halfway down the fish.