Parotocinclus jumbo
LDA025 Pitbull Pleco
LDA025 Pitbull Pleco
Low stock: 1 left
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Remarks: The pitbull pleco is a fascinating dwarf species of Loricariid known from clear streams and rivers in eastern Brazil. For many years they were an important staple for Brazilian exporters and breeders as they were heavily in demand for the aquarium hobby similar to the role held by otocinclus today. When heavy export restraints were placed on Brazilian species, the market all but fizzled out save for the few already existing in captivity on other continents. This lasted for about 10 years causing the pitbull pleco to essentially disappear from the hobby. However, this fish is now making a big comeback with Brazil exports being reopened and heavy breeding efforts being undertaken in places such as Indonesia making them a bit more affordable and available.
This oddball of a tiny catfish attained its popularity in the past for a reason. They were known for their voracious appetite for algae, peaceful disposition, social proclivities, and fairly high levels of activity. The pitbull pleco lives in groups of hundreds in the wild so they prefer to be kept in groups of at least 3-6 in captivity with more always being better. The larger the group, the more brave they will be and the more likely you will see fascinating interactions between individuals as they establish their pecking order and males attempt to court females. While they will feed on algae and biofilm on just about any surface, the pitbull pleco does prefer to spend most of its time on the bottom of the tank where it will occasionally bury itself to rest and hide if the substrate allows for it. For this reason, they should be kept on a soft sand substrate similar to the needs of Corydoradinae species. Another aspect they share with this subfamily is the way they spawn. Pitbull plecos spawn almost exactly like Corydoradinae species where the females will lay their eggs on a smooth surface after which males will fertilize said eggs.
With all their similarities behaviorally to Corydoradinae, care needs and small size like an otocinclus, and their appearance resembling that of a traditional pleco, many describe the pitbull pleco to be like a combination of all three despite not belonging to any of these groups. Also like all three, they make absolutely fantastic additions to most planted or peaceful community tanks that match their required parameters. If all their needs are met, there is a chance you may even get these wonderful little Loricariids to spawn. We greatly encourage attempts at this as they are an excellent aquarium fish that we hope will now stay a staple of the hobby.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Brazil
- Breeding: Tank-raised in Indonesia
- Max adult size: 2-3"
- Diet: Herbivore
- Social behavior: Peaceful
- Care skill: Beginner
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 70°F - 78°F
- pH range: 5.5 - 7.5
- GH range: 15 ppm - 150 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS Next Day Air | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS Next Day Air | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS Next Day Air | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 | UPS Next Day Air | $69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS Next Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee