Xingu peppermint pleco
Parancistrus nudiventris
Also known as L031, Peppermint pleco L031
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 81–88°F (27–31°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.2
- Adult size
- 8.7 in (22 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 79 gal (300 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Rio Xingu, Brazil
- Family
- Loricariidae
Overview
A Xingu specialist that needs the conditions it comes from: very warm, fast, heavily oxygenated water over rock. Keep one in a 300 liter river tank with strong pumps, caves and smooth stone. At 27 to 31 degrees Celsius the water holds little oxygen, so circulation is the main thing that keeps it alive. Feed sinking foods with real vegetable content plus some frozen protein.
In the wild
Parancistrus nudiventris lives in the rapids of the Rio Xingu in Brazil, among rock in hot, fast, broken water. Keep it at 27 to 31 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.2. This is one of the warmest habitats any aquarium pleco comes from, and matching it is not optional.
Good to know
Parancistrus nudiventris reaches about 22 centimeters and carries a pale spotted pattern over a dark body that fades and sharpens with mood. The epithet means naked-bellied, for the unarmored underside. Like other Parancistrus it can flatten itself into rock crevices and hold on hard against current.
Did you know
Its bare belly presses to warm rock like a thermal pad; the fish sunbathes from below.
Tank mates
Xingu peppermint pleco is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Giant river hatchetfish
Triportheus rotundatusFreshwater9.8 in (25 cm)79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Papa panaque
Panaque bathyphilusFreshwater9.8 in (25 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Red bruno pleco
Hypostomus soniaeFreshwater7.9 in (20 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Polka dot pleco
Spectracanthicus zuanoniFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)79 gal (300 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Golden vampire pleco
Leporacanthicus heterodonFreshwater6.3 in (16 cm)79 gal (300 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)Brown pleco
Hypostomus plecostomoidesFreshwater10.2 in (26 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Xingu peppermint pleco need?
A Xingu peppermint pleco needs at least 79 gal (300 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Xingu peppermint pleco need?
Xingu peppermint pleco are comfortable at 81–88°F (27–31°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
How big do Xingu peppermint pleco get?
An adult Xingu peppermint pleco reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Aquatic Arts Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with an arrive-alive guarantee
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
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Related species
Rubber pleco
Parancistrus aurantiacusFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)79 gal (300 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Circular whiptail
Planiloricaria cryptodonFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Ghost pleco
Ancistomus snethlageaeFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Peruvian royal whiptail
Sturisoma nigrirostrumFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)66 gal (250 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Tamana royal farlowella
Sturisomatichthys tamanaeFreshwater8.7 in (22 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Llanero whiptail
Lamontichthys llaneroFreshwater9.1 in (23 cm)79 gal (300 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)