All fish / Loricariidae

Mango Pleco

Baryancistrus niveatus

Also known as l026, l142, ldA33, big white spot pleco, snowball pleco, golden nugget, magnum pleco, white spot baryancistrus, ブラックスポットバリアンキストルス, 雪球异型, 大白点金边异型

A large, dark suckermouth catfish covered in bright white spots, with thin orange or white edges on the dorsal and tail fins when young. Keepers value it as an impressive show pleco for big rheophilic setups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

26 to 31 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

450 litres

Keep as

Singly, or several in a very large tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Omnivore: algae wafers, vegetable-based sinking foods, biofilm, plus some frozen bloodworm and shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: lower Xingu and Tapajós river basins

Breeding

A cave spawner where the male guards the eggs, but captive breeding is rarely reported; the trade relies mostly on wild-caught fish.

Good to know

Grows to around 30 cm or more and becomes territorial with other bottom dwellers. Needs warm, well-oxygenated water with strong flow; often confused with L142 and LDA33 forms under the same name.