(Please note that the fish shown in the photo is only a representative of what an adult specimen would look like. The color may vary based on the age and sex of the fish you receive.)
Scientific Name: Dekeyseria sp. “L52”
Common Name: Atabapo Butterfly Pleco, Atabapo Chameleon Pleco, Atabapo Flounder Pleco
Adult Size: 4 - 6 inches
Life Expectancy: 10+ years
Habitat: Colombia, Venezuela: Rio Atabapo
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallon
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 75 - 80°F
- pH Range: 5.8 - 6.8
- Water Hardness: 1 - 25
Temperament: Fairly peaceful when young, but can be territorial and rough with other Plecos as adults but serious injuries are quite rare
Diet & Nutrition: An omnivore which should accept both veggies and meatier foods...tablet food, vegetarian foods, wood and insect larvae
Breeding & Spawning: Cave breeders with broods varying between 50 to 120 eggs. The eggs take a long time to develop and hatch (9-10 days). The fry are well developed and are almost without yolk sac. The fry are very fast growing.
Gender: Mature males have substantial odontodes both on the thick pectoral ray and the posterior part of the body. The male also have a broader head than the female.
Compatible Tank Mates: See Compatibility Chart