L052 Atabapo Butterfly Pleco (Dekeyseria picta)

Found in the Atabapo river of South America, the L052 pleco, is more commonly known as the “Atabapo Butterfly Pleco”. A small catfish species, butterfly plecos reach a max size of 5 inches and are dark in coloration with bold, orangey-colored stripes. Banding is evenly spaced in juveniles, and eventually become a branching network patterns in adults. Hailing from river habitats with submerged roots and riparian vegetation, they do best in tank setups with networks of rocks, driftwood logs, and branches forming dark spaces and caves. Cave breeders by nature, if you plan to breed, waters should be soft and acidic. Like most plecos, they are very peaceful and can be kept in community tanks with other South American species.