🐟 Bristlemouth Catfish (Peckoltia sp., L049)
🐟 Bristlemouth Catfish (Peckoltia sp., L049)
Striped • Small • Peaceful
📋 The Bristlemouth Catfish (Peckoltia sp., L049) is a small, striped pleco closely related to the Candy Stripe Pleco (L015), but with subtler banding and body coloration. Native to the Rio Tocantins Basin in Brazil, it grows to only 5 inches, making it an excellent choice for medium-sized community aquariums.
This pleco is peaceful, hardy, and thrives in aquariums with driftwood, rockwork, and caves for hiding. While it does graze on algae, it requires a balanced omnivorous diet for long-term health.
💡 Highlights
🐟 Striped Pattern – Subtle banding on body
🌿 Algae Grazer – Eats biofilm & wafers
✅ Compact Size – Stays under 5 inches
🐠 Community Friendly – Peaceful pleco
💎 Collector’s Pleco – L-number rarity
🧾 A Quick Look at the Bristlemouth Catfish (L049)
📛 Common Name: Bristlemouth Catfish
🔬 Scientific Name:Peckoltia sp. (L049)
👨👩👧 Family: Loricariidae
🌍 Origin: Brazil – Rio Tocantins Basin
📏 Max Size: 10 – 12 cm (4 – 5")
💧 pH Range: 6.0 – 7.5
🌡️ Temperature Range: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
🧠 Care Level: Intermediate
💖 Temperament: Peaceful, community safe
🏠 Min Tank Size: 100 L (30+ US gallons)
📌 Tank Level: Bottom dweller
🧬 Captive Bred:❌ No
🌿 Wild Caught: ✅ Yes
⏳ Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
🍽️ Diet: Omnivore – algae, wafers, vegetables, protein foods
🐣 Reproduction: Rare in aquariums
