Scarlet pleco
Pseudacanthicus pirarara
40 cm
Adult size
1000 L
Minimum volume
2
Minimum group
15 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Pseudacanthicus
- Diet
- carnivore
- Social life
- small group
In the wild
Overview
Long known to hobbyists by the code L025 or the name “scarlet pleco”, this large loricariid was only described in 2016 by Carine Chamon and Leandro Sousa. Its name pirarara, “macaw fish” in Tupi, refers to the bright red of its fins, like a macaw's feathers.
It is one of the largest plecos in its genus: it exceeds 40 cm and nearly a kilogram. Its body bristles with small spines (odontodes), like its Pseudacanthicus cousins.
- Scientific name
- Pseudacanthicus pirarara Chamon & Sousa, 2016
- Classification
- Siluriformes › Loricariidae
- IUCN Red List
- Not evaluated (NE)
Natural habitat
Rio Xingu basin (Pará, Brazil)
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It is known from the Rio Xingu basin, in the state of Pará, Brazil.
It lives in the rocky stretches of the river, with clear, warm, highly oxygenated water, and shelters in deep crevices and under boulders.
Behaviour
Territorial, it vigorously defends its hiding place against other bottom-dwellers, especially plecos, and can injure tankmates with its spines. It tolerates robust midwater fish, but the rule is one fish per tank, except in a very large volume.
Mainly carnivorous and a scavenger, it needs shrimp, mussels, fish and protein-rich food. Its adult size calls for an aquarium of over 1,000 litres, with powerful filtration and water movement.