Pecoltia Compta
Peckoltia compta, scientific name Peckoltia compta, belongs to the family Loricariidae (Mail catfish). It is considered one of the most popular Plecostomus catfish due to its contrasting coloration, modest size, peaceful disposition and simple maintenance.
Contents
Habitat
The fish is native to South America. Wild populations inhabit the basin of the Tapajos River, the right tributary of the Amazon in Brazil. It occurs everywhere in sections of rivers with a calm current in the bottom layer among snags.
Description
Adults reach a length of about 6 cm. Catfish has a characteristic striped pattern of black stripes on a light background. At a young age, the background is more yellow.
There is another variety in which the stripes are not regular and look more like dark spots. They inhabit one of the tributaries of the Tapajos – the basin of the Zhamanshin River.
Like most Chain Catfish, Pecolthia Kompta has reliable protection against small predators in the form of hard body covers dotted with small sharp spines. The first rays of the fins have changed and turned into large spikes.
Behavior and Compatibility
Peaceful calm fish. However, some territorial behavior is noted. When several catfish are in the aquarium at the same time, it is recommended to observe the following ratio – from 400 cm² (20 × 20 cm) of bottom area per fish.
Compatible with most species from miniature characins and cyprinids to medium sized cichlids such as Geophagus.
Brief information:
- The volume of the aquarium – from 100 liters.
- Temperature – 24-28°C
- Value pH — 5.5–7.4
- Water hardness – 1–15 dGH
- Substrate type – any
- Lighting – subdued
- Brackish water – no
- Water movement – light or moderate
- The size of the fish is about 6 cm.
- Food – any sinking food
- Temperament – peaceful
- Content alone or in a group
Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium
The optimal size of the aquarium for a pair of catfish starts from 100 liters. In the design, the decoration of the bottom layer is of key importance. Any substrate, except silty, on which various snags, stones are located and clusters of rooting plants are planted. The presence of shelters resembling caves and grottoes is welcome.
Pecoltia Kompta is able to live in a wide range of hydrochemical parameters, which greatly simplifies the process of water treatment for long-term maintenance. Needs warm, oxygen-rich water. Sensitive to the accumulation of organic waste (feed residues, excrement).
Aquarium maintenance is standard and includes the following minimum set of measures: weekly replacement of part of the water with fresh water with simultaneous cleaning of the soil and equipment maintenance.
Food
Many Plecostomos consume a large amount of plant foods, but this species is prone to a high protein diet. The daily diet may consist of dry sinking food in the form of flakes, granules, tablets with the addition of live or frozen foods (large daphnia, bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc.)
