🍬 Candy Stripe Pleco (Peckoltia vittata, L015)
🍬 Candy Stripe Pleco (Peckoltia vittata, L015)
Striped • Small • Peaceful
📋 The Candy Stripe Pleco (Peckoltia vittata, L015) is a beautiful dwarf pleco covered in bold cream-and-brown stripes, giving it a “candy cane” appearance. Native to Brazil’s Rio Tapajós and Rio Tocantins, this species stays small (under 5 inches) and is perfect for community aquariums.
Unlike larger plecos, the Candy Stripe is peaceful and relatively easy to care for. It feeds on algae, biofilm, vegetables, and sinking foods, making it a versatile and hardy addition to planted tanks. Its striking pattern and manageable size make it one of the most popular beginner-friendly L-number plecos.
💡 Highlights
🍬 Striped Pattern – Cream and brown “candy” stripes
🌿 Omnivore Diet – Eats algae & sinking foods
🐟 Peaceful Pleco – Great for communities
✅ Small Size – Grows only 4–5 inches
💎 Beginner Friendly – Hardy dwarf pleco
🧾 A Quick Look at the Candy Stripe Pleco (L015)
📛 Common Name: Candy Stripe Pleco
🔬 Scientific Name: Peckoltia vittata (L015)
👨👩👧 Family: Loricariidae
🌍 Origin: Brazil – Rio Tapajós and Rio Tocantins Basins
📏 Max Size: 10 – 12 cm (4 – 5")
💧 pH Range: 6.0 – 7.5
🌡️ Temperature Range: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
🧠 Care Level: Beginner to Intermediate
💖 Temperament: Peaceful, community safe
🏠 Min Tank Size: 80 L (20+ US gallons)
📌 Tank Level: Bottom dweller
🧬 Captive Bred: ❌ No
🌿 Wild Caught: ✅ Yes
⏳ Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
🍽️ Diet: Omnivore – algae, sinking wafers, veggies, protein foods
🐣 Reproduction: Possible in aquariums with caves
