Lineolus Peckoltia (L007) Care Guide
Peckoltia lineolus is a small banded loricariid catfish of the upper Orinoco region, marked by thin dark lines on a tan body.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Peckoltia lineolus (also written Peckoltia lineola, Armbruster, 2008) is a small armored loricariid catfish marked with thin dark lines on a tan body. It reaches about 9.7 cm in standard length, making it one of the smaller members of the genus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Loricariidae
- Genus: Peckoltia
- Scientific name: Peckoltia lineolus
- Also recorded as: Peckoltia lineola (Armbruster, 2008)
- Trade designations: L007, L056
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Río Ventuari in Venezuela and the Río Inírida in Colombia, within the upper Orinoco region. It is a freshwater species of tropical rocky riffles.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 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
Provide driftwood, caves and clean, oxygenated water with some current to mimic riffle habitat.
Diet
The species is omnivorous. A varied diet of sinking prepared foods, vegetable matter and occasional protein items is appropriate. It is nocturnal and feeds mainly at night.
Compatibility
Peckoltia lineolus is peaceful and bottom-dwelling, hiding for much of the day. It can be kept with calm species such as tetras and Corydoras. Aggressive or territorial plecos should be avoided.
Breeding
As a cave-spawning Peckoltia, breeding is considered advanced. Males develop hypertrophied odontodes during the breeding season.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (assessed 21 August 2020).
Breeding Peckoltia lineolus (L007)
Overview
Peckoltia lineolus is a small striped loricariid of the genus Peckoltia, a group of South American armoured catfishes that inhabit shallow, rocky riffles and quieter water where they hide inside cavities in submerged logs (Wikipedia, genus Peckoltia). Closely related forms in the genus reach around 9-10 cm SL. Species-specific spawning reports are scarce, so the account below follows the documented breeding biology of the genus.
Sexing
In Peckoltia, most males develop hypertrophied body odontodes during the breeding season, which is the principal external sign of sex; males are also usually more slender than ripe females.
Breeding Setup
Because Peckoltia hide in cavities in logs and among rocks, the breeding tank should offer enclosed caves. Well-oxygenated water with movement matches the rocky-riffle habitat of the genus.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
As cave spawners, the female deposits a clutch inside a cave and the male is responsible for tending and guarding it, in line with the documented Peckoltia pattern.
Egg & Fry Care
Following the genus pattern, the male guards the clutch in the cave through hatching, and the fry remain in or near the cave until their yolk reserves are used up before becoming free-swimming.
Common Challenges
Peckoltia are territorial toward conspecifics, so provide several caves and ample cover to reduce aggression during the breeding period.