−11%
Moderate
Chaetostoma thomsoni
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 100L
£28.47£31.99
Chaetostoma 'spot' — a peaceful cool-water rubber-nose pleco that grazes algae in clean, oxygen-rich tanks. Moderate care. 20–24°C.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Chaetostoma spot
Chaetostoma spot are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour. Larger shoals stay calmer, eat better, and look stunning.
Chaetostoma 'spot' — a peaceful cool-water rubber-nose pleco that grazes algae in clean, oxygen-rich tanks. Moderate care. 20–24°C.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Adapted to cool, fast-flowing Andean streams, Chaetostoma "spot" is a compact rubber-nosed pleco built for clean, oxygen-rich water. Its armoured, flattened body and constant grazing make it a genuinely useful as well as charming addition to the bottom of a temperate community tank.
This is a peaceful little catfish that reaches around 5 cm and can live for some eight years. It is a dedicated herbivore and algae grazer, so a steady supply of algae, biofilm and vegetable-based foods matters more to it than rich protein diets. The one thing it will not tolerate is warm, stagnant water — it wants things cool and moving.
A 60-litre aquarium with smooth rocks, good flow and high oxygen levels recreates the conditions it evolved in. Keep the water on the cooler, slightly acidic side within the ranges below, holding hardness between 2 and 12 dGH and temperatures down at 20 to 24°C — cooler than most tropical community tanks.
A frequent question is why temperature matters so much for this catfish, and it comes down to oxygen: warm, sluggish water simply does not hold enough for a fish from cold mountain torrents. Get the cool, brisk conditions right and it grazes contentedly at around 5 cm, living for up to eight years as a peaceful, hard-working resident of the lower tank.
Pair it with peaceful small to medium community fish such as tetras, rasboras and livebearers, other non-aggressive bottom dwellers given enough space, and dwarf cichlids that won't harass bottom fish. Avoid large aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, highly territorial bottom dwellers, very warm-water species and fast boisterous fish that would outcompete it for food. Its peaceful temperament makes it an easy fit socially, so the real constraint is temperature compatibility, which rules out the many tropicals that prefer warmer water than it tolerates. Each Chaetostoma "spot" ships with a licensed live-animal courier under our live arrival guarantee.
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