Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, and sourcing intelligence on Butterfly Pleco (L-168) - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team.
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) at a glance
Adult size: 5 inches · Min tank/pond: 30 gallons · Difficulty: intermediate · Diet: omnivore · Lifespan: 8-10 years.
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) (Dekeyseria brachyura) is a popular freshwater fish in the aquarium and pond hobby. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of stable-tank experience.
Where Butterfly Pleco (L-168) comes from
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) (Dekeyseria brachyura) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. Captive-bred specimens at most LFS come from generations of farmed stock and are generally hardier and more colorful than wild-caught equivalents.
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) tank size and setup
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) requires a minimum of 30 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on 5 inches adult size and territorial range. Plan a tank sized for adult footprint, HOB or canister filter rated 4-6x volume, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature heater, and stocking-appropriate hardscape.
Water parameters for Butterfly Pleco (L-168)
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) prefers freshwater parameters: temperature 74-80°F, pH 6.5-7.5, GH 4-12 dGH, KH 3-8 dKH, ammonia + nitrite 0 ppm, nitrate under 20 ppm. Use dechlorinator on every water change.
What Butterfly Pleco (L-168) eats
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) is a omnivore. Provide a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods, and supplemental greens. Feed twice daily in small portions. Browse our food guides for product recommendations.
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) tankmates and compatibility
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species.
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) adult size and lifespan
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) reaches 5 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 8-10 years with proper care.
Can you breed Butterfly Pleco (L-168)?
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) can be bred in dedicated breeding tanks with appropriate setup and water-chemistry triggers. Research the species-specific breeding requirements before attempting.
Common Butterfly Pleco (L-168) diseases and problems
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Butterfly Pleco (L-168) for 4 weeks before adding to display.
Where to buy Butterfly Pleco (L-168) online
Butterfly Pleco (L-168) is sold at LFS, online retailers, and direct from breeders. Browse live Butterfly Pleco (L-168) from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping, climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims.
Related freshwater species you might also keep
Other species in the same category with care profiles on Fast Aquatics. Click any name for the full husbandry breakdown.
Butterfly Pleco taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.