Furry Diary

Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Leopard Frog Pleco

Peckoltia compta

Also called L134

SpeciesShort profile

From Rio Tapajós basin, Brazil12

At a glance the quick version

Lengthup to 6.2 cm12
Sizesmall
Very small, around 6 cm
Distinctive banded leopard-frog pattern
Popular, peaceful-looking aquarium pleco
123

Looks how to spot one

Armoured suckermouth catfish

A small, elongated pleco in bony armour, with dark brown bands across a pale body. A pale stripe runs inside the dark bars from the snout tip to the eyes, and the fins carry small dark spots.12

Colourspale yellow to cream basedark brown bandssmall dark spots on the fins2

Personality what they are like

Like other Peckoltia it tends to be shy and spends much of the day tucked away in hiding places.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Most active when the lights are low; spends daylight hours in caves or under wood.3

Home where they are happiest

Provide caves, wood and rock crevices so it can hide during the day.3

The story where it all began

Brazilian scientists described the species in 2010, naming it compta, Latin for 'adorned', after its ornate pattern. It had already been known to fishkeepers by its trade code L134.12

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    Its species name compta means 'adorned' or 'ornamented' in Latin, a nod to its patterning.1

  2. 2

    A pale stripe sits inside the dark bars running from its snout tip to its eyes, a feature that helps identify it.2

  3. 3

    Like other members of its genus it can breathe air when needed.2

Recognised by the official bits

Taxonomy
Described by de Oliveira, Zuanon, Rapp Py-Daniel and Rocha in 20102
IUCN Red List
Endangered (2018), owing to hydroelectric projects in its range2
Aquarium trade codes
L1341

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Leopard Frog Pleco. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Where this comes from

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  1. Peckoltia compta - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, origin, size, etymology, history
  2. Peckoltia compta - FishBase fishbase.seused for origin, size, IUCN, colour description, author
  3. Peckoltia - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for genus behaviour and aquarium notes

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.