🟠 L076 Orange Seam Pleco – (Peckoltia sp. L076) – Wild-Caught Brazilian Pleco

The L076 Orange Seam Pleco (Peckoltia sp. L076) is a beautifully patterned Brazilian pleco best known for the attractive orange to yellow-orange edging along its dorsal and caudal fins.

Its body typically ranges from:

• Olive-brown
• Gray-brown
• Chocolate brown
• Dark brown

with several broad darker vertical bars crossing the body.

The bright orange fin seams create a striking contrast against the darker body, especially once the fish is fully acclimated and displaying mature coloration.

L076 originates from the Brazilian state of:

PARÁ

and is particularly associated with the:

RIO DO PARÁ REGION NEAR PORTEL

It has also been recorded from nearby river systems including the:

• Rio Camaraipi
• Rio Pacajá

Despite sometimes being sold under the scientific name Peckoltia cavatica, the identity of L076 has not been formally resolved, so the most accurate scientific designation remains:

Peckoltia sp. L076

This medium-sized pleco generally reaches approximately 5–6 inches, is primarily active around dusk and nighttime, and is a confirmed cave-spawning species with male parental care.

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🔎 Quick Facts – L076 Orange Seam Pleco

• 📛 Common Name: Orange Seam Pleco
• 📛 Other Names: Orange-Finned Pleco, Orange-Fringed Pleco
• 🔢 L-Number: L076 / L76
• 🔢 Related Aquarium Number: L099
• 🔬 Scientific Identification: Peckoltia sp. L076
• 🧬 Taxonomic Status: Undescribed / unresolved
• 🐟 Family: Loricariidae
• 🧬 Subfamily: Hypostominae
• 🌿 Stock: Wild Caught
• 📏 Current Size: Approximately 3–4 inches
• 🇧🇷 Country: Brazil
• 📍 State: Pará
• 🌊 Primary Origin: Rio do Pará near Portel
• 🌊 Additional Records: Rio Camaraipi and Rio Pacajá
• 💧 Water Type: Freshwater
• 📏 Typical Adult Size: Approximately 5–6 inches
• 📏 Large Adult Potential: Approximately 6+ inches
• 🏠 Recommended Aquarium: 40 gallons or larger
• 👥 Group Aquarium: 55+ gallons with substantial bottom area preferred
• 📐 Aquarium Shape: Long and wide aquariums preferred
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 77–84°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 5.5–7.5
• 💦 Hardness: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good to High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Moderate
• 🍽️ Diet: Omnivore
• 🌿 Plant Foods: Important
• 🦐 Animal / Insect Protein: Important as part of a varied diet
• 🚫 Algae Cleaner: Should not be purchased solely for algae control
• 😌 Temperament: Generally peaceful
• ⚠️ Pleco Temperament: Some territorial behavior around caves and food
• 🌙 Activity: Primarily crepuscular / nocturnal
• 🥚 Breeding: Cave Spawner
• 👨‍👧 Parental Care: Male guards the eggs and fry
• ♂️ Adult Male Trait: Dense odontodes on the caudal peduncle
• ⭐ Care Level: Intermediate
• 🌎 IUCN Status: Not Evaluated as an undescribed L-number form

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🧬 L076 Is Still Scientifically Undescribed

The safest scientific identification for this fish remains:

Peckoltia sp. L076

The abbreviation:

sp.

means the fish is recognized as belonging to the genus Peckoltia, but its exact species identity has not yet been formally resolved.

Therefore:

DO NOT ASSIGN A FORMAL SPECIES NAME WITHOUT QUALIFICATION

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⚠️ Is L076 Peckoltia cavatica?

You may see L076 sold online as:

Peckoltia cavatica

I would not use that name as confirmed for this product.

Peckoltia cavatica is a valid species that was scientifically described in 2005 from the:

RUPUNUNI RIVER SYSTEM IN GUYANA

It looks extremely similar to several orange-edged Peckoltia forms.

However, L076 originates from:

PARÁ, BRAZIL

and specialists have noted that the Brazilian L-number forms have not been formally compared closely enough with P. cavatica to establish that they are all the same species.

For now:

L076 = Peckoltia sp. L076

is the most responsible identification.

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🔢 L076 & L099

Another important aquarium designation associated with this fish is:

L099

Modern specialist references generally regard L099 as:

A COLOR / PATTERN VARIATION OF L076

rather than a clearly separate species.

L099 was introduced after particularly pale-looking specimens caused them to be assigned a separate aquarium number.

Differences may include:

• Body darkness
• Visibility of bars
• Orange coloration
• Stress coloration
• Collection variation

For this product:

KEEP L076 AS THE PRIMARY IDENTIFICATION

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🟠 What Makes the Orange Seam Pleco Special?

The defining feature is the attractive orange coloration running along portions of the:

DORSAL FIN

and:

CAUDAL FIN

Depending on the fish, the edging may appear:

• Orange
• Yellow-orange
• Golden
• Pale amber
• Cream-orange

The intensity can vary considerably between individuals.

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🎨 Appearance

The body usually ranges from:

• Olive
• Gray-brown
• Chocolate brown
• Dark brown

with darker markings across the flanks.

One especially useful identification feature is the presence of approximately:

FOUR BROAD DARK BARS

along the sides of the body.

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🟤 Body Bars

The broad body bars may be:

• Strong and obvious
• Partially broken
• Dark brown
• Nearly black
• Relatively faint

depending on:

• Stress
• Age
• Mood
• Lighting
• Aquarium background

A settled fish frequently becomes much darker than a newly transported specimen.

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🔄 Stress Coloration

L076 can change dramatically when stressed.

A stressed fish may appear:

• Pale beige
• Light gray
• Washed out
• Weakly patterned

with only slightly darker body bars.

Once comfortable, it may become:

MUCH DARKER

with significantly stronger contrast.

This variation likely contributed to some of the historical confusion surrounding L076 and L099.

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⚠️ Color Disclaimer

Exact adult coloration cannot be guaranteed.

Wild L076 may differ in:

• Body darkness
• Bar width
• Orange-fin intensity
• Amount of yellow
• Fin edging
• Overall contrast

Color can also change temporarily because of:

• Shipping
• Stress
• Lighting
• Diet
• Water quality
• Aquarium background
• Acclimation

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🌎 Native Distribution

The L076 aquarium form originates from:

PARÁ, BRAZIL

Its most important documented locality is:

RIO DO PARÁ NEAR PORTEL

Other locality records include:

• Rio Camaraipi
• Rio Pacajá

This is considerably more useful than simply saying:

South America

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📍 Portel, Pará

Portel is located within Brazil's extensive lower Amazon-associated river network.

Preserving locality information for wild L-number plecos is important because closely related fish from different drainage systems may appear extremely similar.

For wild fish:

LOCALITY MATTERS

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🆚 L076 vs. L265

Another similar orange-edged pleco is:

L265 / LDA084

L265 is associated primarily with the:

RIO TAPAJÓS

and:

RIO JAMANXIM

systems in Pará, Brazil.

L076, by comparison, is associated with:

RIO DO PARÁ / PORTEL

These similar-looking forms should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.

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🆚 L076 vs. Peckoltia cavatica

L076

• Brazil
• Pará
• Rio do Pará / Portel
• Undescribed
• Peckoltia sp. L076

Peckoltia cavatica

• Guyana
• Rupununi drainage
• Formally described species

They look similar, but:

SIMILAR APPEARANCE DOES NOT PROVE THEY ARE THE SAME SPECIES

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📏 Adult Size

The older listing gives:

4–5 Inches

as the maximum size.

I would increase this.

Specialist aquarium references generally place adult L076 at approximately:

12–15 CM

or roughly:

5–6 INCHES

PlanetCatfish additionally lists approximately:

150 MM / 5.9 INCHES STANDARD LENGTH

Standard length excludes the complete tail fin.

Therefore, customers should not be promised that every L076 will stop at exactly 5 inches.

For practical planning:

EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 5–6 INCHES

with larger individuals potentially exceeding 6 inches total length.

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🏠 Aquarium Size

For one adult:

40 GALLONS OR LARGER

is a good long-term starting point.

For groups:

55 GALLONS OR LARGER

is preferable.

The most important consideration is:

BOTTOM AREA

rather than aquarium height.

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📐 Active for a Peckoltia

L076 can be surprisingly active.

Specialist keepers have observed these fish using considerable horizontal swimming space once evening activity begins.

For this reason:

LONGER AQUARIUMS ARE PREFERRED

over short, tall tanks.

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👥 Group Housing

L076 is generally much more tolerant of its own kind than some highly territorial plecos.

Groups can work well when provided with:

• Multiple caves
• Several feeding areas
• Driftwood
• Rockwork
• Visual barriers
• Adequate floor space

Minor feeding disputes are normal.

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🪨 Aquarium Setup

A good L076 aquarium should include:

• Ceramic pleco caves
• Driftwood
• Smooth rocks
• Slate
• Rock crevices
• Sand or smooth gravel
• Shaded areas
• Open bottom space
• Good filtration
• Good oxygenation

Provide enough hiding places that every fish can retreat when desired.

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🏠 Provide Multiple Caves

For several L076:

PROVIDE MORE CAVES THAN PLECOS

Suitable shelters include:

• Ceramic pleco tubes
• Slate caves
• Rock crevices
• Driftwood cavities
• One-ended shelters

Caves become especially important once males mature.

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🪵 Driftwood

Driftwood is recommended because it provides:

• Shelter
• Shade
• Biofilm
• Grazing surfaces
• Territorial boundaries

However:

L076 IS NOT A SPECIALIZED WOOD-EATING PLECO

Do not claim that wood is required for digestion.

Wood is useful habitat and enrichment.

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🌡️ Temperature

Specialist references place L076 around:

77–84°F / 25–29°C

This is warmer than the older page's:

74–80°F

recommendation.

For normal maintenance:

77–84°F

is a better range.

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💧 Water Parameters

A practical aquarium range is:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 77–84°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 5.5–7.5
• 💦 Hardness: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good to High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Moderate
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep reasonably low

Stable water conditions are particularly important with newly imported wild fish.

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💨 Oxygenation

Good oxygenation is recommended.

Suitable methods include:

• Strong surface agitation
• Air stones
• Sponge filters
• Canister-filter returns
• Powerheads
• Sump returns

Warm-water plecos benefit greatly from dependable dissolved oxygen.

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🌊 Water Movement

Moderate circulation is sufficient.

Create:

🌊 Moving Areas

for:

• Oxygenation
• Waste transport
• Natural activity

and:

🪨 Sheltered Areas

for:

• Resting
• Hiding
• Cave occupation

Extreme current throughout the aquarium is unnecessary.

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💩 Filtration

Good mechanical and biological filtration is important.

Suitable systems may include:

• Canister filters
• Hang-on-back filters
• Sponge filtration
• Sumps
• Supplemental powerheads

Maintain:

AMMONIA = 0

and:

NITRITE = 0

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🍽️ Diet – Omnivore

L076 is best described as a:

TRUE OMNIVORE

Its diet should include a mixture of:

• Plant-based foods
• Algae-containing foods
• Biofilm
• Insect foods
• Appropriate aquatic animal protein

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🌿 Plant-Based Foods

Suitable foods include:

• Quality algae wafers
• Spirulina wafers
• Vegetable-based sinking pellets
• Quality gel foods
• Zucchini
• Squash
• Green beans

Plant material should remain a regular part of the diet.

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🦐 Protein Foods

Suitable protein foods include:

• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Bloodworms
• Mosquito larvae
• Insect-based pellets
• Chopped shrimp
• Quality omnivore sinking pellets

Animal protein is a normal component of the diet.

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⚖️ Balanced Feeding

The best feeding strategy is:

PLANT FOODS + BIOFILM + ANIMAL / INSECT PROTEIN

rather than feeding only one category.

Avoid maintaining L076 exclusively on:

• Algae wafers

or exclusively on:

• Meat-heavy carnivore foods

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🚫 Not Just an Algae Cleaner

L076 may graze:

• Algae
• Biofilm
• Organic material

but:

DO NOT PURCHASE IT SOLELY FOR ALGAE CONTROL

It requires intentional feeding.

Aquarium algae alone does not provide a complete diet.

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🌙 Activity

L076 is primarily:

CREPUSCULAR / NOCTURNAL

Activity generally increases:

• Around dusk
• After aquarium lights dim
• At night
• During feeding

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☀️ May Become Active During the Day

Once established, many L076 become:

SURPRISINGLY VISIBLE DURING DAYLIGHT

They may:

• Rest openly on wood
• Search for food
• Explore rocks
• Move throughout the aquarium

This species can be less secretive than some other plecos after acclimation.

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🧪 Wild-Caught Acclimation

This listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L076 ORANGE SEAM PLECOS

Wild fish deserve careful acclimation.

After arrival:

• Provide immediate shelter
• Keep lighting subdued
• Maintain good oxygenation
• Avoid abrupt temperature changes
• Avoid abrupt pH changes
• Maintain excellent water quality
• Confirm feeding

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🍽️ Confirm Feeding

A newly imported pleco may remain hidden while faster fish consume its food.

Offer some foods:

• Near caves
• At dusk
• After lights out
• In several areas of the aquarium

Watch body condition carefully.

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😌 Temperament

L076 is generally:

PEACEFUL

and can coexist with many compatible tropical fish.

Potential tankmates may include:

• Tetras
• Rasboras
• Corydoras
• Peaceful cichlids
• Other community fish

provided their water requirements overlap.

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⚠️ Pleco-to-Pleco Territorial Behavior

Some territorial behavior may occur around:

• Caves
• Feeding areas
• Preferred resting locations

Mature males may defend a breeding cave more strongly.

Provide:

• Multiple caves
• Multiple feeding areas
• Adequate bottom territory

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Sexing becomes easier once the fish reaches maturity.

Mature Males

Develop a distinctive:

DENSE COVERING OF ODONTODES ON THE CAUDAL PEDUNCLE

This can create a visibly:

• Bristled
• Hairy
• Spiky

appearance along the rear portion of the body.

Mature Females

Generally show:

• Less extensive caudal-peduncle odontodes
• Fuller abdominal profile when carrying eggs

Juveniles can be difficult to sex accurately.

Unless confidently identified:

SELL AS UNSEXED

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🥚 Captive Breeding – Confirmed

L076 has been:

SUCCESSFULLY BRED IN CAPTIVITY

for many years.

Breeding has been reported by aquarists in:

• Germany
• Scandinavia
• Other parts of Europe

It is a:

CAVE-SPAWNING PLECO

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🏠 Breeding Caves

Mature males select and defend suitable caves.

Provide several caves with different:

• Diameters
• Lengths
• Orientations

A typical breeding cave should be:

• Closed at one end
• Slightly wider than the male
• Long enough for the pair
• Positioned where clean, oxygenated water reaches the entrance

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💕 Spawning Behavior

Typical spawning behavior includes:

1. A mature male establishes a cave.
2. A receptive female enters.
3. Spawning takes place within the cave.
4. The female eventually leaves.
5. The male remains with the clutch.

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👨‍👧 Male Parental Care

After spawning:

THE MALE GUARDS THE EGGS

He remains in the cave and:

• Fans the clutch
• Protects the eggs
• Maintains water movement
• Guards the developing fry

This is a classic:

FATHER-FAMILY

breeding strategy.

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🥚 Large Clutches Are Possible

Experienced aquarists have reported substantial L076 broods.

One documented hobby spawn produced:

MORE THAN 50 FRY

This should not be treated as a guaranteed clutch size.

Actual brood size depends on:

• Female size
• Age
• Condition
• Genetics
• Water conditions

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💧 Breeding Conditions

Successful breeders have maintained L076 in:

• Warm water
• Soft water
• Excellent oxygenation
• Clean conditions

Large water changes have also been associated with spawning activity.

However:

THERE IS NO SINGLE GUARANTEED BREEDING FORMULA

Healthy mature adults and good husbandry remain the most important factors.

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👶 Raising Fry

Once the yolk sac is absorbed, fry can receive:

• Fine sinking omnivore foods
• Crushed pleco foods
• Spirulina-containing foods
• Baby brine shrimp
• Fine frozen foods
• Natural biofilm

Feed frequently while maintaining:

EXCELLENT WATER QUALITY

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🧬 Preserve L076 Identification

Because orange-seamed Peckoltia forms can be difficult to separate:

• Preserve the L-number
• Preserve supplier information
• Preserve collection locality when known
• Avoid casually mixing similar unidentified lines

Do not breed:

• L076
• L265
• P. cavatica
• other unidentified orange-edged Peckoltia

together and later market the offspring as pure L076.

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🌎 Conservation Status

Because L076 remains an:

UNDESCRIBED AQUARIUM FORM

it does not have its own formal species-level IUCN Red List assessment.

Therefore:

IUCN STATUS: NOT EVALUATED

is the safest wording.

Do not automatically borrow the conservation status of:

Peckoltia cavatica

because L076 has not been scientifically demonstrated to be that species.

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⭐ Why Keep an L076 Orange Seam Pleco?

The L076 combines:

• 🟠 Attractive orange fin seams
• 🟤 Broad dark body bars
• 📏 Manageable approximately 5–6 inch adult size
• 😌 Generally peaceful temperament
• 🌙 Interesting nighttime activity
• ☀️ Potential daytime visibility after acclimation
• 🍽️ Flexible omnivorous feeding
• 🥚 Confirmed captive breeding
• 👨‍👧 Male parental care
• 🇧🇷 Brazilian L-number heritage

into an excellent medium-sized pleco for a properly maintained aquarium.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing an L076 Orange Seam Pleco:

• Keep the scientific identification as Peckoltia sp. L076.
• L076 remains scientifically unresolved.
• Do not automatically identify it as Peckoltia cavatica.
• P. cavatica was described from Guyana's Rupununi system.
• L076 originates from Pará, Brazil.
• Its primary aquarium locality is the Rio do Pará near Portel.
• Rio Camaraipi and Rio Pacajá are also associated with L076 records.
• L099 is currently generally treated as a color variation of L076.
• This listing is for wild-caught fish.
• Do not use 4–5 inches as a hard adult maximum.
• Plan for approximately 5–6 inches.
• Large individuals may exceed 6 inches.
• Provide approximately 40 gallons or larger.
• Use larger, longer aquariums for groups.
• Provide multiple caves and shelters.
• Maintain approximately 77–84°F.
• Maintain pH around 5.5–7.5.
• Maintain good dissolved oxygen.
• Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Feed a varied omnivorous diet.
• Include both plant foods and animal/insect protein.
• Do not rely solely on algae wafers.
• Do not purchase L076 simply as an algae cleaner.
• Expect activity to increase around dusk.
• Mature males develop strong caudal-peduncle odontodes.
• L076 is a confirmed cave spawner.
• Males guard the eggs and developing fry.
• Keep L076 breeding lines separate from similar orange-seamed forms.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Taxonomy

The safest current identification is:

Peckoltia sp. L076

Classification:

• Order: Siluriformes
• Family: Loricariidae
• Subfamily: Hypostominae
• Genus: Peckoltia
• Species: Undescribed / unresolved
• L-Number: L076
• Related Aquarium Number: L099

For this product, use:

L076 Orange Seam Pleco – (Peckoltia sp. L076)

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🔢 L-Number & Identification Disclaimer

L076 is one of several similar orange-edged Peckoltia forms in the aquarium hobby.

Similar fish include:

• L099
• L265 / LDA084
• Peckoltia cavatica

Their exact taxonomic relationships have not all been scientifically resolved.

Therefore:

DO NOT SUBSTITUTE AN UNCONFIRMED SPECIES NAME FOR THE L-NUMBER

Preserve:

• L076
• Collection locality when known
• Supplier identification
• Breeder-line information

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Live fish are professionally packed for safe transport.

Shipping availability depends on:

• Fish size
• Destination
• Weather conditions
• Carrier availability
• Applicable state and local regulations

Please review our Shipping & Payment Information and Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy before ordering.

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⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for confirming that Peckoltia sp. L076 may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.