Cleaner Fish Freshwater Algae Eaters in Fish Tank: Leopard Frog Pleco
Cleaner FishFreshwater Algae Eaters in Fish Tank: Leopard Frog Pleco – This species is differentiated from all
its congeners by the following characters: a clear stripe within the dark brown
bars running from snout tip to anterior margin of eyes (vs. lack of the clear
stripe and a mottled look in P. vittata, and a mixture of vermiculations and
spots on the head of the other congeners); except from P. bachi, by the
existence of small dark brown spots just on fin rays, scarcely reaching the
interradial membranes (vs. dark spots on interradial membranes or dark stripes
covering the entire fin or simple).
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Cleaner Fish Freshwater Algae Eaters in Fish Tank: Leopard Frog Pleco
Except from P. bachi by
the interorbital space, 31.1-32.9 (vs. 51.5-71.0% HL); except from P. bachi, P.
braueri, P. brevis , P. cavatica, P. lineola and P. vittata by its bigger
cleithral width 32.3-34.6 (vs. 20.8-32.4% SL); except from P. cavatica, P. snethlageae
and P. sabaji by its smaller head depth 57.8-62.2 (vs. 63.5-87.7% HL).
Peckoltia: named member
of the Natural History Commission of Rondon, after Gustavo Peckolt. The
specific epithet means adorned, in reference the species patterning that is captivating.
Typical tank setup for
this particular fish is South American biotope with rocks, roots, driftwood, or
bog wood. Live plants will not be needed, but are valued. If there's a
reasonable current, does best.
Feeding
An omnivorous species
using a preference for meaty foods. Offer a variety of foodstuffs including
sinking catfish pellets/granules/pills/ frozen foods and algae wafers for
example mosquito larvae, Spirulina -enriched brineshrimp, Mysis shrimp, chopped
krill etc too as some vegetable matter for example blanched spinach, kale,
cucumber etc.
Sexing
Females remain unadorned
and possess a wider girth over the body. This is most clear when the region
just behind the pectoral fins is viewed from above.
Suggested Tankmates
A medium sized pleco
which can be united with most tankmates that share the same preference for warm
and acidic water that was softer. A perfect pleco for a Tapajós set up but may
be joined with the majority of small or moderate sized fishes. Everything from
little characins to eartheaters that is larger will do nicely.
Attention
Juveniles possess a more
extreme yellowish background colour with routine banding, whereas in adult
specimens, the yellow tends to fade and the amount of stripes that are dark can
increase and/or break up into spots. Plenty of décor consisting mostly with
rocks, of bogwood / solid planting and cobbles will all help to create shady
refuges that are much valued. The water ought to be - a decent current and
filtered provided so that you can mimic the highly -oxygenated waters the
Leopard Frog Plecos originate from.
Breeding
They are a cave spawner.
A change in seasons triggers mating in the wild – water temperature will fall
while the amount and quality of water increases. Regular partial water changes
with marginally cooler water successfully copies this in an aquarium. Man takes
good care of the young after mating. Eggs hatch after 5-7 days and therefore
are free swimming after another 3-5 days. Run regular partial water changes to
keep up water parameters.
Extra Information
Younger fish have more
background mature fish and yellow color are darker with more stripes. As they
come from highly oxygenated rivers in their native habitat, finest if an
average current is present. Frequent partial water changes really are a
necessity.