Butterfly pleco L168
Dekeyseria brachyura
moderatepeacefulbottom swimmerLoricariidae
- Adult size
- 12 cm5 in
- Start with
- 1
- Tank length
- 36 cm14 in
- Lifespan
- 10–15 yrs
- Temperature
- 25–28 °C77–82 °F
- pH
- 5.6–7
- Hardness
- 1–15 dGH
- Diet
- omnivore
Needs warm, well-oxygenated water and wood caves; it will contest caves with other plecos, so give one per occupant.Needs warm, well-oxygenated water and wood caves; it will contest caves with other plecos, so give one per occupant.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Acei cichlid
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- African clawed frog
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- Angfa rainbowfish
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- Arfak rainbowfish
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- Batanta rainbowfish
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- Blue acara
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Blue rainbowfish
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- Brevis shell dweller
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- Caudopunctatus
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
Celestial pearl danioNo shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Corona rainbowfish
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
Sources
| temperature | 25–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
|---|---|---|
| ph | 5.6–7 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
| gh | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium |
| origin | Rio Negro and Orinoco basins, Brazil and Venezuela | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| notes | Needs warm, well-oxygenated water and wood caves; it will contest caves with oth | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| beginner friendly | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| care level | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| color palette | #5A4A3A, #C8B890 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| activity | sedentary | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| swim zone | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| fin nipper | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| long finned | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| territorial | true | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling | false | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| schooling min | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| diet | omnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| lifespan years | 10–15 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| growth to adult months | 24 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| length weight | {"a":0.012,"b":3} | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low |
| planted safe | true | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |
| body shape | pleco | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium |