L030 Peppermint Pleco 'Rio Xingu' (Spectracanthicus punctatissimus)

Common Name

Peppermint Pleco, L030

Scientific name

Spectracanthicus punctatissimus   |   Synonym used in the trade, Oligancistrus punctatissimus

Origin and Habitat

Endemic to Brazil’s Rio Xingu in Pará State. Classic records cluster around the Altamira region with type locality on the east bank near Porto de Moz. This is fast, clear, highly oxygenated water that runs over granite, cobble, and coarse sand. Fish shelter by day in crevices and under ledges, then emerge at dusk to forage along rock faces where current delivers food.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Target 78 to 84 F, which is 26 to 29 C. Wild pH in clearwater Xingu stretches is commonly about 6.0 to 7.2 with low to moderate mineral content. Provide strong aeration, firm directional flow, and excellent mechanical filtration. Stable parameters are more important than chasing exact numbers, except for special breeding projects.

Appearance and Size

Velvet brown to deep black body dusted with fine white to yellow micro dots that twinkle under river light. Fins carry the same starry spotting and the head shows the sleek Spectracanthicus profile. Males develop broader heads with heavier odontodes on cheeks and pectoral spines and a taller dorsal. Reported adult size is about 15 cm total length, roughly 6 inches, with large long term systems producing the best growth and body.

Diet in the Wild

An omnivore that leans heavily into protein. In the river it picks invertebrates and meaty items from rock surfaces and cracks rather than rasping algae as a primary food.

Feeding in Captivity

Offer a protein forward menu built around quality sinking carnivore sticks and soft pellets. Rotate chopped prawn, mussel, clam, bloodworm, blackworm, and krill. Add some vegetable matter for balance, spirulina wafers or small portions of blanched zucchini or cucumber. Feed after lights out and place food at cave mouths so shy fish feed confidently.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Peaceful with midwater fish, territorial with similar shaped bottom dwellers once mature. Keep one per small tank or establish multiple distinct territories in larger systems with plenty of caves and broken sightlines. Aim for a river feel, high oxygen, strong surface movement, and open lanes along stacked rock and driftwood. Use sand or fine rounded gravel to protect barbels and encourage natural foraging.

Breeding

A cave spawner with male parental care. Documented spawnings exist but remain uncommon. Provide several snug single entrance caves. Condition adults on rich meaty foods and keep temperature near 82 F, about 28 C, with very clean, fast moving water. A receptive female deposits an adhesive clutch inside the cave, then the male guards and fans the eggs. Hatching often occurs in about a week depending on temperature, fry absorb yolk for several days, then accept finely shaved carnivore sticks, crushed sinking pellets, and very small frozen foods placed at the cave mouth. Immaculate water and very high oxygen are critical through the first month.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Spectracanthicus punctatissimus, synonym in trade, Oligancistrus punctatissimus
• L code: L030, widely sold as Peppermint Pleco
• Locality: Rio Xingu, Pará State, Brazil, including the Altamira region and near Porto de Moz
• Adult size: about 15 cm total length, roughly 6 inches
• Temperature: 78 to 84 F (26 to 29 C), strong oxygen and flow
• Wild pH: commonly 6.0 to 7.2 in clearwater Xingu sections
• Temperament: territorial with similar plecos, peaceful with midwater fish
• Diet: protein forward omnivore, invertebrates and meaty items from rock surfaces
• Breeding type: cave spawner with male egg care, uncommon but achievable

Quick Facts

A true Xingu gem. The starry pepper spots glow against dark rock and a confident adult working a cave line is pure river theater. Give it flow, oxygen, and a meaty menu and it becomes a charismatic cave guardian that shows on cue at feeding time. We love locality stories and Peppermint Pleco brings the look and rhythm of the Xingu’s granite runs right into your aquascape.