L134 Leopard Frog Pleco

Also sold as L134 Leopard Frog Pleco

Common Name

Leopard Frog Pleco. Often sold by the trade code L134.

Origin and Habitat

Peckoltia compta is native to Brazil, primarily in the Rio Tapajós basin in Pará and nearby clearwater tributaries. It lives in warm, very clean water with moderate to strong current over sand and fine gravel scattered with rounded stones, slate like plates, and driftwood. Submerged wood, rock cracks, and natural cavities provide shelter and spawning sites. Aquatic plants are sparse in the faster zones, while quieter margins may have leaf litter and patches of vegetation.

Temperature and Water Conditions

A practical indoor range is 26 to 30°C, which is 79 to 86°F. Wild waters are typically soft to moderately hard and near neutral, commonly about pH 6.2 to 7.4. In the aquarium, stability matters more than exact numbers. Do not chase pH or total dissolved solids unless you are doing a specific breeding project. Keep oxygen high, current steady, and nitrogen waste very low with frequent small water changes.

Appearance and Size

Leopard Frog Plecos show a striking high contrast pattern of bright yellow bands over a dark olive to chocolate body, with yellow edged dorsal and caudal fins. Pattern and saturation improve with age and good diet. Males develop broader heads, more pronounced pectoral odontodes, and heavier cheek bristles when mature. Females are rounder through the body when full of eggs. Adults reach about 8 to 10 cm standard length, which is 3.1 to 3.9 inches.

Diet in the Wild

This species is an omnivorous benthic picker. It grazes aufwuchs on wood and stone, consuming small insect larvae, crustaceans, and other micro invertebrates along with biofilm and a modest amount of soft plant matter. It is not a wood eater in the sense of Panaqolus or Panaque, though it will rasp on driftwood while feeding on biofilm.

Feeding in Captivity

Provide a mixed menu with a lean toward quality proteins and algae based roughage. Use high quality sinking wafers and fine pellets that include spirulina or kelp. Rotate frozen and live items such as bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, mysis, and enriched brine shrimp. Offer occasional fresh vegetables like blanched zucchini or spinach. Feed in the evening and place food near shelters so shy individuals eat well. Maintain wood and smooth stones in the tank to grow natural films for between meal grazing.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Leopard Frog Plecos are peaceful but cave territorial, especially mature males. Keep one male with several females for breeding, or maintain a small group in a larger footprint with more caves than fish. Provide moderate to strong linear flow, strong aeration, and pristine water. Use soft sand or fine rounded gravel with stacked slate, rounded cobble, and multiple snug caves sized so a male can block the entrance with his body. Add driftwood for cover and biofilm growth. Lighting can be moderate if there are shaded retreats. Good tank mates include small tetras, hatchetfish, pencilfish, peaceful dwarf cichlids suited to similar water, and non aggressive Corydoras that will not compete for the same caves.

Breeding

Leopard Frog Plecos are classic loricariid cave spawners that breed reliably once mature and well conditioned.

Conditioning and cues Keep water very clean, provide abundant oxygen and flow, and feed a rich but clean menu with frequent small meals. Many breeders report increased activity after a period of stable warmth followed by one or two slightly cooler water changes that simulate seasonal rains.

Spawning and parental care A receptive female enters the chosen cave and deposits a clutch that the male fertilizes and guards. The male fans the eggs, cleans the cave, and defends the doorway. Typical clutches range from a couple dozen to several dozen eggs depending on female size and condition. Incubation commonly takes about one week at warm temperatures, with free swimming fry emerging several days later.

Fry care You can allow the male to raise the brood or move the cave carefully to a hatching box with matching water and gentle air. Start fry on high protein powders, crushed wafers, decapsulated brine shrimp, and freshly hatched baby brine shrimp once the yolk is absorbed. Provide small wood pieces and smooth pebbles with biofilm. Keep waste low with daily small top ups and siphon uneaten food promptly. Separate larger siblings if you see crowding or food competition.

Structures that protect eggs and fry Rock piles, tight caves, and pockets of rounded gravel concentrate current and create sheltered nooks. These structures protect eggs from scavengers and give fry immediate access to micro films, which improves early survival.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Peckoltia compta
• Trade name: Leopard Frog Pleco, L134
• Origin: Brazil, Rio Tapajós basin and nearby clearwater tributaries
• Size: About 8 to 10 cm standard length, which is 3.1 to 3.9 inches
• Temperature: 26 to 30°C, which is 79 to 86°F
• pH: Commonly 6.2 to 7.4 in the wild and captivity reports, stability is more important than exact value
• Temperament: Peaceful but cave territorial, especially males
• Diet: Omnivorous benthic grazer of invertebrates and biofilm
• Breeding: Cave spawner with male egg guarding, fry accept protein rich prepared and live foods

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

Leopard Frog Plecos deliver a rare mix of bold pattern and manageable size. They shine in clean, fast water with thoughtful rockwork and the right caves. Keep your maintenance rhythm tight, feed small and often, and resist the urge to overstock. For breeders, consistency wins. Track pairs, collect data on clutch sizes and growth, and focus on strong growth and good pattern clarity in your holdbacks. With steady selection you can build a line that keeps the bright yellow bands and confident behavior that make L134 a centerpiece in small river themed aquariums.