Pretty Peckoltia

About

A fascinating loricariid from the Lower Negro River basin in Brazil, Dekeyseria brachyura goes by several names in the hobby, pretty peckoltia, flounder plec, and chameleon plec, that last one being the most fitting. This fish actively shifts its coloration to blend with the substrate and nearby surfaces, and it even displays a distinctly different pattern after lights out. Its flattened body profile gives it that flounder-like silhouette, and its striped patterning tends to be more clearly defined than in the closely related Orinoco species it resembles. Taxonomically it has had a winding history, having been known as Peckoltia pulcher and at times placed in the invalid genus Zonancistrus, and its relationship with D. pulcher remains unresolved. In the aquarium it is a peaceful community resident, doing particularly well in a soft, acidic, well-oxygenated setup alongside characins and other current-loving species. An herbivore by preference, it needs reliable access to plant-based foods. Breeding has been accomplished by hobbyists, with males guarding eggs inside caves and tending the fry after hatching. One practical note. Handle this species carefully when netting, as the spines on the snout and pectoral fins snag mesh easily. When purchasing, look for a rounded belly and alert eyes, since sunken eyes and a pinched abdomen are warning signs in newly imported specimens.