L015 Candy Stripe Pleco (Peckoltia vittata)
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For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout.
The Candy Stripe Pleco (Peckoltia vittata), also known as L015, is a beautifully patterned Loricariid catfish featuring bold cream-to-gold stripes against a deep brown body. Hailing from Brazil’s Amazon Basin, this manageable species stays smaller than many plecos and is both hardy and peaceful, making it an ideal choice for planted community aquariums.
What We Love About This Fish:
• Beautiful striped pattern that stands out against driftwood and plants
• Peaceful and compatible with most community fish
• Helps control algae, though requires supplemental feeding
• Interesting nocturnal behavior with regular activity in well-furnished aquariums
Natural Habitat:
The Candy Stripe Pleco originates in the Brazilian Amazon Basin, where it inhabits soft, acidic, moderately flowing waters rich in submerged wood and rocky cover. In nature, it clings to driftwood and stones while grazing on biofilm, algae, and detritus.
Aquascaping:
• Plants: Broad-leaf plants such as Anubias, Java Fern, and Amazon Swords create shaded areas for security.
• Hardscape: Driftwood is essential, along with caves, rocks, and roots for shelter and territory.
• Botanicals: Indian Almond Leaves, Catappa Bark, and alder cones provide natural tannins and promote biofilm growth.
Diet and Feeding:
This omnivore grazes on algae and biofilm but must be supplemented with sinking wafers, algae pellets, blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber, spinach), and occasional protein foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp. Driftwood also assists in digestion.
Tank Mates and Compatibility:
Candy Stripe Plecos are peaceful with most mid- and top-dwelling community fish, such as tetras, rasboras, and corydoras. They may show mild territorial behavior toward other bottom dwellers if the tank is undersized or lacks adequate hiding areas.
Shrimp Compatibility:
Safe with adult shrimp, though they may opportunistically consume small shrimp fry if food is scarce. Breeding shrimp colonies should have plenty of cover.
Breeding:
A cave-spawning pleco; males guard eggs and fry until they are free-swimming. Breeding in captivity is possible with the right caves, pristine water, and patience.
Recommended Tank Parameters:
• Temperature: 72° – 82° F (22° – 28° C)
• pH: 5.5 – 7.5
• KH: 2 – 12
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Guidelines:
• Diet: Omnivorous; requires algae, veggies, and occasional protein.
• Social Behavior: Peaceful; semi-territorial with other plecos.
• Origin: Wild-caught from Brazil.
• Average Adult Size: 4.5 – 5.5 inches (11 – 14 cm)
• Average Purchase Size: 2 – 3.5 inches (5 – 9 cm)
Add the Candy Stripe Pleco to your aquarium for a hardy, peaceful, and eye-catching bottom dweller with classic Brazilian charm.
Live Arrival Guarantee:
All Aquatic Arts brand animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee, plus free email support!
Why is it called the Candy Stripe Pleco?
The name comes from the bold cream and dark striping that runs across the body and fins. The pattern looks almost hand-painted and tends to sharpen as the fish settles in and feels comfortable.
How big does the L015 Candy Stripe Pleco get?
They stay a manageable size, usually around 5–6 inches as adults. That makes them a good choice for aquarists who want a striking pleco without needing a massive tank.
Is the L015 Candy Stripe Pleco peaceful?
Yes, overall. They’re calm toward most tank mates. Like many plecos, they can be territorial with other bottom dwellers or similar-looking plecos, especially in tighter spaces.
Can Candy Stripe Plecos live in community tanks?
They do well in peaceful community setups. Mid- and upper-level fish that won’t bother them while they rest are ideal companions.
Is the L015 Candy Stripe Pleco a good algae eater?
They will graze on biofilm and some algae, but they shouldn’t be relied on as a primary algae control fish. Think of them as a feature pleco rather than a cleanup crew.
What do L015 Candy Stripe Plecos eat?
They do best on a varied diet. Sinking pellets or wafers, fresh vegetables, and occasional protein-rich foods keep them healthy and well-conditioned.
Do Candy Stripe Plecos need driftwood?
Driftwood is strongly recommended. It provides grazing surfaces, hiding spots, and helps recreate the kind of environment they’re adapted to.
What kind of tank setup do they prefer?
They appreciate structure—caves, driftwood, and shaded areas. Moderate flow and good oxygenation help them thrive, especially as they mature.
Are L015 Candy Stripe Plecos hardy?
Once acclimated, they’re quite hardy. Stable water quality and regular maintenance are far more important than chasing exact parameters.
Who is the L015 Candy Stripe Pleco best suited for?
They’re perfect for aquarists who want a visually striking pleco with manageable size. If you enjoy patterned fish and natural aquascapes, the Candy Stripe Pleco is a rewarding choice.
For the safety of our animals, we only ship live fish, crabs, and select other inverts exclusively via UPS 1 Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 1 Day Air as a shipping option during checkout. If other items are in your cart that can ship with 2 day or standard shipping options the only shipping method you can still select is UPS 1 Day Air.
UPS 1 Day is a description of the duration of time a shipment will spend in transit once it has been shipped. This does not guarantee the package will be shipped the same or next day from which the order was placed.
Shipping Schedule for this service
Current Handling Time:
1-9 business days
Here at Aquatic Arts, we consider the welfare of the live animals we are shipping to be of the foremost importance. This process is much more involved than simply creating a shipping label and affixing it to a box. Depending on the order, it takes from 4 to 7 people to complete this process properly. We check the weather conditions here where they fly out of the Indianapolis UPS facility and the destination for each shipment. We start early each morning and go through a multi-step process to have the day's shipments prepared in time for the UPS pickup. The volume of orders in our system also affects the processing time. Therefore our stated handling time is 1-9 business days.
Shipping Rate
Pricing is by size of package needed to fill entire order and distance it must travel. It will be calculated at checkout.
