All fish / Loricariidae

Snowball Pleco

Baryancistrus micropunctatus

Also known as l142, ldA33, ld a33, fine-spotted baryancistrus, snowball pleco, white-spotted pleco, スノーボールプレコ, 白珍珠异型, L142

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A dark grey to black suckermouth catfish covered in small white spots, with a broad flat body and a pale band on the dorsal and tail fins in many specimens. It is kept for its striking spotted pattern and is a popular L-number pleco.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

26 to 31 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly, or a group in a large tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Omnivore: sinking algae wafers, vegetable matter, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, prepared pleco pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: Rio Tocantins basin

Breeding

A cave spawner in which the male guards the eggs and larvae inside a crevice. Captive breeding is rare and most fish in the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

Needs warm, well oxygenated water with good flow and does not tolerate poor water quality. The L142 and LDA33 codes cover similar looking fish, and young Hypancistrus or Baryancistrus species may be sold under the same name.