L-56 Chubby Pleco

L-056 Chubby Pleco: The Broad-Headed Golden Grazer

Chubby plecos come from rocky streams in Brazil and earn their name. Even their scales are fat and wide. The Chubby Pleco may change color in the aquarium, this species can alternate between gold and black colors.  In fact, Golden Chubby Plecos cost about ten times more than the chocolate ones! Our Chubby Plecos will most likely remain a solid chocolate color, so they won't make you rich, but they WILL make you happy.

Native to the rapids and fast-flowing rocky waters of the Rio Xingu basin in Brazil, the Chubby Pleco grows to an adult length of 7 to 9 inches. Its broad, powerful suckermouth is specially adapted for adhering to smooth boulders in heavy river currents. Due to its stout build, heavy bioload, and preference for highly oxygenated water with moderate current, a minimum aquarium size of 55 to 75 gallons is recommended for a single adult specimen.

The L-056 Chubby Pleco is a peaceful, hardy bottom dweller that makes an exceptional addition to medium-to-large South American river setups. While it spends much of the day resting under rock ledges or driftwood caves, it emerges during feeding times as an active and engaging grazer.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: This species is an Omnivorous Grazer with Herbivorous Tendencies. In the wild, it rasps organic biofilm, algae, and micro-fauna from river rocks. In captivity, feed a staple diet of high-quality sinking algae wafers, spirulina disks, and fresh vegetables like zucchini, squash, and cucumber, balanced with occasional protein foods like sinking carnivore pellets, bloodworms, or brine shrimp.
• Aquarium Setup: Provide well-oxygenated water with strong current and high filtration turnover to mimic its native Rio Xingu rapids. Include plenty of smooth river rocks, slate caves, and heavy driftwood for shelter and natural biofilm growth.
• Reef / Plant Compatibility: It is Plant Safe With Caution. While the L-056 generally ignores tough or broad-leafed plants, its heavy body and active foraging can accidentally dislodge delicate stems or uproot weakly rooted aquascapes.
• Temperament: It is Peaceful toward midwater species. It can exhibit mild territoriality toward other bottom-dwelling catfish or similar pleco species over prime caves and feeding sites, which can easily be mitigated by providing multiple hiding spots.
• Tankmates: Excellent tankmates include medium-sized peaceful or semi-aggressive fish such as Geophagus, Angelfish, Discus, South American Cichlids, Medium Tetras, Barbs, and Rainbowfish. Avoid housing with overly aggressive or fast-moving bottom competitors that might outcompete it for food.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Parancistrus aurantiacus
• Primary Common Name: L-056 Chubby Pleco
• Other Common Names: L056 Pleco, Rubber Pleco, Golden Chubby Pleco
• Origin: South America (Rio Xingu Basin, Brazil)
• Max Size: 7-9 inches
• Temperament: Peaceful (Mild territoriality over choice caves)
• Diet: Omnivore / Grazer (Requires algae wafers, fresh greens, and occasional protein)
• Minimum Tank Size: 55-75 Gallons
• Plant Compatibility: With Caution (May uproot delicate stems)
• Shipping Size: 2 inches