{"product_id":"l052-atabapo-butterfly-pleco-dekeyseria-picta","title":"L052 Atabapo Butterfly Pleco | Dekeyseria picta","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe L052 Atabapo Butterfly Pleco is a beautifully patterned dwarf loricariid famous for its striking ability to change colour — from bold dark-and-cream \"butterfly\" banding when relaxed to a washed-out pale phase when stressed or excited. Reaching around 13 cm, it is a peaceful, characterful algae-grazer that makes a wonderful, active addition to a mature, well-decorated aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species comes from the fast-flowing, clear and blackwater rivers of the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia, including the Atabapo and Ventuari systems. It lives among submerged wood and rock in warm, soft, well-oxygenated water with brisk current, grazing biofilm and algae from hard surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA flattened, disc-like body carrying a bold pattern of dark chocolate and pale cream bands or reticulations that give a \"butterfly\" look. Remarkably, the fish can rapidly lighten or darken its pattern to match its mood and surroundings, so its appearance shifts through the day. Males develop more pronounced odontodes (bristly cheek and fin spines) than females.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful toward other species but mildly territorial with its own kind and other bottom-dwellers, so provide enough wood and rock caves that each fish can claim a spot. It suits calm community and biotope tanks and will not bother mid- or upper-water tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimarily a grazer of algae and aufwuchs (biofilm) rather than a true wood-eater. Offer quality algae wafers, spirulina and vegetable-based sinking foods and blanched vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber as the staple, with the occasional meaty treat like frozen bloodworm. Plenty of driftwood provides grazing surfaces and helps digestion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it a mature aquarium of at least 150 litres with strong flow, high oxygenation and plenty of driftwood, rock and caves for shade and grazing. It needs warm, soft to neutral, very clean water — this species is sensitive to poor water quality and low oxygen, so stay on top of filtration and water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner that has been bred in aquaria but is not common. The male selects and guards a cave, the female deposits eggs inside, and the male tends the clutch and fry. Success requires soft, warm, spotless water, strong flow and suitable narrow caves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDekeyseria picta (L052)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAtabapo Butterfly Pleco\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrinoco basin (Atabapo\/Ventuari), Venezuela and Colombia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial with own kind)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore\/grazer (algae, aufwuchs, vegetables; occasional meaty foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.8–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–12 dGH (soft to neutral)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature, well-oxygenated community and biotope aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (grazes algae, generally leaves healthy plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful mid- and upper-water fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, dwarf cichlids and other calm community species that enjoy similar warm, soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive or very territorial bottom-dwellers competing for the same caves, large predatory fish, and boisterous species that monopolise food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232804192547,"sku":"BA9046-S","price":130.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232804225315,"sku":"BA9046","price":150.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232804258083,"sku":"BA9046-L","price":175.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/L052_Atabapo_Butterfly_Pleco_ee3e0d19-2cbd-4fd2-b259-47e10021becd.jpg?v=1781699133","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/l052-atabapo-butterfly-pleco-dekeyseria-picta","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}