The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
L1 Gold Dotted Pleco Pterygoplichthys Joselimaianus
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The L1 Gold Spot Pleco is a sailfin catfish covered in bright golden spots over a chocolate brown body, with a tall dorsal fin it raises when displaying. It comes from the Tocantins and Araguaia rivers of Brazil. A peaceful but large grazer, it suits keepers with a big tank and robust tank mates.
- Adult Size: Around 30 cm (12 in) in aquaria; up to 40 cm wild
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
Origin
- Native to: Tocantins and Araguaia river basins, Brazil
- Habitat: Slow rivers and flooded margins with roots, driftwood and vegetation
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, mostly herbivorous grazer
- Preferred Foods: Algae wafers, courgette, cucumber, spinach, sinking pellets, occasional bloodworm
- Feeding Habits: Feed nightly after lights out; blanched vegetables several times a week
Tank Mates
- Best with: Medium to large peaceful fish: larger tetras, barbs, gouramis, peaceful cichlids
- Avoid: Other large plecos, very small fish, slow flat-bodied fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful and largely solitary
- Territoriality: Guards its cave against other plecos and bottom dwellers
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate, due to size
- Challenges: Large adult size, heavy waste load, uproots plants and decor
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
- Temperature: 24–29°C (75–84°F)
- pH: 6.5–7.5
- Hardness: 4–15 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 300 litres for an adult; larger and longer is better
Final Notes
Juveniles grow quickly, so plan for a tank at least 120 cm long with strong filtration and weekly water changes from the start. It is nocturnal and needs a cave or driftwood retreat; sand substrate protects its belly. Like other sailfins it can gulp air at the surface, which is normal. Sexes are hard to tell apart and aquarium breeding is rare. A rewarding long-lived fish with a proper home.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.