Chubby Pleco 'Rio Tocantins' (Parancistrus aurantiacus)

Common Name

Chubby Pleco, L056, Tocantins River locality

Scientific name

Parancistrus aurantiacus

Origin and Habitat

Native to the Amazon basin with verified records from the Tocantins River system. In the Tocantins it favors rocky margins and runs with moderate to fast current, clear water, and high oxygen. Crevices among granite and cobble, plus under ledges, provide daytime shelter, with foraging along rock faces toward dusk. Collection notes and trade reports frequently specify the Tocantins, while some sources also list the species from neighboring clearwater systems. Locality labels help aquarists match flow, chemistry, and look.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Aim for 78 to 82 F, which is 26 to 28 C. Wild water in Tocantins clearwater reaches is usually soft to moderately mineralized and mildly acidic to near neutral, commonly about pH 6.5 to 7.5. Provide strong aeration, directional flow, and excellent mechanical filtration. We do not recommend chasing exact numbers for routine care, stable, clean, oxygen rich conditions matter far more. Save parameter tweaks for specialized breeding attempts.

Appearance and Size

A heavy bodied, wide pleco with a flattened look, smooth armor, and a broad head, which explains the name chubby. Color varies by locality and mood, from dark brown to near black, sometimes with pale or golden edging on the fins. Adults commonly reach about 18 to 20 cm total length, roughly 7 to 8 inches. Keep long term fish in roomy, well filtered systems to realize their best body and color.

Diet in the Wild

An omnivore that selects protein rich invertebrates and meaty scraps from rock surfaces, while taking biofilm and incidental plant matter as it grazes. It may rasp lightly at softer wood, but it is not a dedicated wood eater.

Feeding in Captivity

Offer a balanced, protein forward menu. Use quality sinking carnivore sticks and soft pellets as the staple. Rotate chopped prawn, mussel, clam, bloodworm, blackworm, and krill. Add algae wafers or spirulina based foods and occasional blanched vegetables such as zucchini and cucumber. Place food near caves after lights out so shy fish feed confidently.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Generally peaceful with midwater fish, territorial with similar shaped plecos as they mature. Keep one in a moderate tank, or establish clear territories with multiple caves and broken sightlines in larger systems. Think river run layout, high oxygen, strong surface movement, stacked rock and driftwood, and fine sand or rounded gravel to protect barbels.

Breeding

A cave spawner with male parental care, achievable but not routine. Provide several snug, single entrance caves placed in current. Condition on a rich diet and keep water very clean around 80 to 82 F. A receptive female deposits an adhesive clutch deep in the cave, the male guards and fans the eggs until hatching. Fry absorb yolk before taking finely shaved carnivore sticks, crushed sinking pellets, and very small frozen foods placed at the cave mouth. Maintain very high oxygen and pristine water during the first month.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Parancistrus aurantiacus
• Trade code: often sold as L056, commonly called Chubby Pleco
• Locality: Tocantins River basin in Brazil, with reports from neighboring clearwater systems
• Adult size: commonly about 18 to 20 cm total length, roughly 7 to 8 inches
• Temperature: 78 to 82 F (26 to 28 C)
• Wild pH: usually mildly acidic to near neutral in clearwater reaches
• Temperament: peaceful with midwater fish, territorial toward similar plecos
• Diet: omnivore with emphasis on invertebrates and meaty items, plus biofilm and some greens
• Breeding type: cave spawner with male egg care

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

Locality can influence the look. Tocantins fish are often dark and clean lined with handsome fin edging, while other basins can show slightly different contrasts. These differences are not recognized as separate species at this time, but they matter to collectors and to anyone building a biotope. Give Chubby Pleco flow, oxygen, rock structure, and a steady meaty menu, and it becomes a confident cave guardian that appears on cue at feeding time.