Butterfly Pleco

Dekeyseria picta

Also known as: Butterfly plec, L052, L168

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–27°C
• pH: 6–7
• Hardness (GH): 36–143 ppm (2–8 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

The butterfly pleco (L052) is a flat, broad-headed little fish and a true master of disguise: it can change colour within minutes, turning almost solid dark on black substrate and showing a beautiful pale-and-dark striped or marbled pattern over lighter surroundings. It comes from the Orinoco and Atabapo in Venezuela and wants soft, slightly acidic, warm, and well-oxygenated water. At around 14cm it fits a modest planted community, where it grazes aufwuchs and biofilm from wood and rock as an omnivore, taking vegetables, sinking foods, and a little protein. It is peaceful and a touch shy, appreciating caves, wood, and gentle lighting. A fascinating and affordable specialist that rewards soft, clean water with its shifting dress.

Tankmates

Peaceful and a little shy, suiting a soft-water community of small tetras, rasboras, dwarf rainbowfish, dwarf cichlids, and corydoras. It wants soft, slightly acidic, well-oxygenated water and some caves and wood to graze and shelter among. Keep one per small tank, or provide enough territory for several in a larger one. Avoid large or aggressive cichlids and fin-nippers.

Compatible with

• Cardinal Tetra
• Rummynose Tetra
• Harlequin Rasbora
• German Blue Ram
• Sterbai Corydoras
• Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish
• Pearl Gourami

Avoid keeping with

• Large Cichlids
• Fin Nippers
• Aggressive Tankmates

Common Problems

• faded or permanently dark colour in bright, bare, or hard-water tanks
• sensitivity to warm, stale, poorly-oxygenated water
• shyness and hiding without caves and subdued lighting
• ich

Sources: planetcatfish.com, seriouslyfish.com · Last updated: 2026-10-04