Peckoltia brevis (L030) Care Guide
Peckoltia brevis is a small armored loricariid catfish from the Purus River basin in Brazil, one of the early L-numbered plecos.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Peckoltia brevis is a small armored suckermouth catfish in the family Loricariidae, described by La Monte in 1935. It is a hardy banded Peckoltia and one of the original L-numbered plecos in the hobby. The species reaches about 11.4 cm in standard length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Peckoltia
- Scientific name: Peckoltia brevis
- Describer: La Monte, 1935
- Trade designation: L030
Habitat
Peckoltia brevis occurs in the Purus River basin in Brazil. Members of the genus inhabit shallow, rocky riffles and quieter areas where they shelter inside cavities in submerged wood. It is a freshwater, demersal species of tropical climates.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-28 degrees Celsius (75-82 degrees Fahrenheit)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
FishBase records a natural pH range of 5.8-7.8 for the species. Provide driftwood, caves and clean, oxygenated water.
Diet
The species is omnivorous. A varied diet of sinking prepared foods, vegetable matter and occasional protein items suits it. As a nocturnal fish it usually feeds after lights-out.
Compatibility
Peckoltia brevis is peaceful and bottom-dwelling, spending much of the day hidden. It can be combined with calm species such as tetras and Corydoras. Aggressive or strongly territorial plecos should be avoided.
Breeding
Peckoltia are cave-spawning loricariids, and breeding this species is considered advanced. Males develop hypertrophied odontodes during the breeding season.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 28 October 2020).
Breeding Peckoltia brevis (L030)
Overview
Peckoltia brevis is a small loricariid from the Purus River basin in Brazil, reaching about 11.4 cm SL according to FishBase, which lists it as Least Concern. Wikipedia notes it inhabits tangled woody backwaters and feeds on small meaty foods such as carrion and algae. Species-specific spawning reports are limited, so the account below follows the documented breeding biology of the genus Peckoltia.
Sexing
Wikipedia notes that males are identifiable by their slimmer build and small tooth-like projections (odontodes) across the rear portion of the body; in Peckoltia generally, males develop hypertrophied body odontodes during the breeding season.
Breeding Setup
FishBase gives a range of pH 5.8-7.8, hardness 15-28 dH and a temperature of 22-26 C for the species. As Peckoltia hide inside cavities in submerged logs, the breeding tank should provide enclosed caves; soft, warm water suits the species.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Peckoltia are cave spawners that live in rocky riffles and quieter water where they hide in cavities. The female deposits a clutch inside a cave and the male remains to tend it, in line with the genus pattern.
Egg & Fry Care
Following the genus pattern, the male guards the clutch within the cave through hatching, and the fry remain in or near the cave until their yolk reserves are consumed before becoming free-swimming.
Common Challenges
Peckoltia can be territorial toward conspecifics and other similarly behaving species, so provide multiple caves and ample cover to reduce conflict during the territorial breeding period.