Butterfly Pleco L041

The Butterfly Pleco (L041) is a small, highly attractive loricariid endemic to the Rio Xingu. Its broad, wing-like pectoral fins spread wide when the fish rests against glass or wood, giving it the butterfly-like silhouette that inspired its common name. The body is boldly patterned with alternating light and dark bands, making it one of the most visually appealing dwarf plecos available.

L041 is a herbivore that primarily grazes on algae and soft biofilm. It should be fed algae wafers, spirulina-based foods, and blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach. Unlike many Xingu species, L041 does not require extreme water flow, but it does benefit from warm, clean, well-oxygenated conditions. Driftwood provides both a dietary supplement and essential hiding areas.

The Butterfly Pleco is peaceful and well-suited to community aquariums, particularly those with a Xingu or Amazonian biotope theme. It pairs beautifully with small tetras, corydoras, and other dwarf plecos. Its modest adult size of around 8 cm means it can be comfortably housed in tanks from 80 litres upward.

Water: pH 6.0–7.2, temperature 26–30°C, GH 2–10, KH 1–5; warm, clean water with good circulation. Tank: 80 L minimum; driftwood, flat smooth surfaces, fine substrate, gentle to moderate flow. Feeding: Herbivore; algae wafers, spirulina, blanched zucchini and spinach, biofilm grazing. Breeding: Cave spawner; one of the more accessible Xingu plecos to breed in captivity. Compatibility: Peaceful and excellent community fish; compatible with most small to medium species.