Redfin Cactus Pleco L024

Pseudacanthicus sp. L024, the Redfin Cactus Pleco, is a powerful and aggressively armoured loricariid from the Rio Tocantins in Brazil. Its dark grey body is covered with the characteristic sharp odontode spines of the Pseudacanthicus genus, giving it a spiky, cactus-like armour. The fins are brilliantly coloured in vivid red-orange, creating a dramatic contrast that signals this fish's predatory temperament to both tankmates and observers.

At up to 30 cm, the Redfin Cactus requires a spacious aquarium of 300 L or more with very powerful filtration, large cave structures, and robust tankmates. Its carnivore-leaning diet of prawns, mussels, and high-protein pellets must be provided regularly. It is aggressive toward other plecos and will not tolerate the presence of similarly sized or similarly shaped loricariids.

The Redfin Cactus Pleco is an advanced-keeper species due to its combination of large size, aggressive nature, demanding carnivorous diet, and specific water chemistry requirements. In the right setup it is a spectacular display fish with a commanding presence and vivid coloration that improves with age.

Water: 24–28°C, pH 5.5–7.0, soft to moderately soft; strong flow and high-capacity filtration essential. Tank: Minimum 300 L; very large caves, smooth boulders, driftwood; large robust tankmates only. Feeding: Carnivore; prawns, mussels, mussel flesh, whole bloodworms, high-protein sinking pellets. Breeding: Cave spawner; rarely achieved in captivity; very large, mature setups required. Compatibility: Aggressive toward other plecos; predatory toward small fish; keep with large robust species only.