🔥 L025 Scarlet Cactus Pleco 7 Pointer – (Pseudacanthicus pirarara) – Wild-Caught Rio Xingu Cactus Pleco

The L025 Scarlet Cactus Pleco 7 Pointer (Pseudacanthicus pirarara) is one of the most spectacular large plecos from Brazil's famous Rio Xingu Basin.

Known for its heavily armored body, pronounced rows of odontodes, dramatic dark markings, powerful build, and intense scarlet-red to orange-red fin coloration, the L025 develops into an incredible showpiece fish for a properly equipped large aquarium.

The 7 Pointer form is especially prized for displaying strong red or orange coloration on the tips or leading edges of all seven individual fins:

• 🔥 Dorsal fin
• 🔥 Caudal fin
• 🔥 Anal fin
• 🔥 Left pectoral fin
• 🔥 Right pectoral fin
• 🔥 Left pelvic fin
• 🔥 Right pelvic fin

This intense seven-fin coloration is the origin of the aquarium-trade term:

7 POINTER

The name describes a particularly colorful form of Pseudacanthicus pirarara and is not a separate species or subspecies.

L025 is a large, powerful, strongly territorial pleco that can reach approximately 15–17 inches, with exceptional specimens potentially becoming even larger.

Unlike many plecos commonly associated with algae grazing, the Scarlet Cactus Pleco is a strongly carnivorous, protein-oriented omnivore that should receive a diet built around aquatic animal foods and high-quality sinking carnivore diets.

This listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L025 SCARLET CACTUS PLECO 7 POINTERS

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🔎 Quick Facts – L025 Scarlet Cactus Pleco 7 Pointer

• 📛 Common Name: Scarlet Cactus Pleco
• 📛 Other Names: Scarlet Pleco, Redfin Cactus Pleco, Red Devil Pleco
• 🔥 Trade Form: 7 Pointer
• 🔢 L-Number: L025
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Pseudacanthicus pirarara
• 🐟 Family: Loricariidae
• 🧬 Subfamily: Hypostominae
• 🐣 Stock: Wild Caught
• 🇧🇷 Country: Brazil
• 🌊 Native Range: Rio Xingu Basin
• 📍 Species Distribution: Lower and Middle Rio Xingu and tributaries including the Rio Iriri and Rio Bacajá
• 📍 7 Pointer Association: Particularly associated in the aquarium trade with upper Xingu / São Félix do Xingu forms
• 💧 Water Type: Freshwater
• 📏 FishBase Maximum: Approximately 40.5 cm / 15.9 inches total length
• 📏 Adult Planning Size: Approximately 15–17 inches
• 📏 Exceptional Adults: 16"+ individuals are well documented, with some specialist references approaching 18 inches
• 🏠 Recommended Aquarium: 125 gallons minimum for one adult
• 🏠 Preferred Aquarium: 180+ gallons for a mature adult
• 👥 Multiple Large Plecos: Significantly larger aquarium required
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 78–86°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5
• 💨 Oxygenation: Very High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Moderate to Strong
• 🍽️ Diet: Carnivorous / Protein-Leaning Omnivore
• 😠 Temperament: Highly territorial toward other plecos
• 🌙 Activity: Primarily nocturnal / crepuscular
• 🐠 Swimming Area: Bottom
• 🥚 Breeding: Cave Spawner
• ⭐ Care Level: Advanced
• 🌎 IUCN Status: Not Evaluated
• 🏆 Type: Large Rio Xingu Showpiece Pleco

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🧬 A Formally Described Species

L025 was known in the aquarium hobby for many years before receiving its formal scientific name.

In 2016, it was formally described as:

Pseudacanthicus pirarara

The currently accepted species name remains:

Pseudacanthicus pirarara Chamon & Sousa, 2016

It should therefore no longer be identified simply as:

Pseudacanthicus sp. L025

although the L025 designation remains extremely important in the aquarium hobby.

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🔥 What Does “7 Pointer” Mean?

The term:

7 Pointer

is an aquarium-trade description for exceptionally colorful L025 specimens displaying strong red or orange coloration on all seven individual fins.

A fish has:

1. One dorsal fin
2. One caudal fin
3. One anal fin
4. Two pectoral fins
5. Two pelvic fins

That equals:

7 Individual Fins

The red coloration may appear primarily on:

• Leading fin rays
• Outer fin edges
• Fin tips

and can vary in intensity between individuals.

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⚠️ 7 Pointer Does NOT Mean Seven Dorsal Spines

An older version of this listing described 7 Pointer as:

“Seven prominent white or yellow spines on the dorsal fin.”

That is incorrect.

The term refers to:

RED / ORANGE COLORATION ACROSS ALL SEVEN FINS

not seven dorsal-fin spines.

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🗺️ 7 Pointer Locality

In the aquarium trade, particularly colorful 7 Pointer L025s are strongly associated with:

The Rio Xingu Around São Félix do Xingu

Other L025 populations occur throughout portions of the:

• Rio Xingu
• Rio Iriri
• Rio Bacajá

Color intensity and pattern can vary according to collection locality.

However:

Exact locality should only be advertised when supplier or collection records support it.

If exact locality is unknown, identify the fish simply as:

Rio Xingu Basin – Brazil

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🔥 Why Is It Called the Scarlet Cactus Pleco?

The common name combines two of the fish's most obvious characteristics.

Scarlet

refers to the intense:

• Red
• Scarlet
• Orange-red

coloration along the fins.

Cactus

refers to the extraordinary number of:

Odontodes

covering portions of the body and fins.

These tooth-like projections give the fish an armored, spiny appearance similar to a cactus.

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🌵 What Are Odontodes?

Odontodes are small tooth-like structures growing externally from the fish's armored surfaces.

L025 can develop especially impressive odontodes on the:

• Cheeks
• Pectoral fins
• Body
• Fin rays

Mature males may become particularly heavily armed.

These structures are used in:

• Territory defense
• Competition
• Breeding interactions

They can also make handling difficult.

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⚠️ Powerful Spines & Odontodes

A large Scarlet Cactus Pleco should never be casually grabbed.

The fish's combination of:

• Heavy armor
• Strong pectoral spines
• Odontodes
• Powerful body

can cause injury.

Large specimens may also become badly tangled in conventional fish nets.

When moving a large L025, experienced keepers often use:

• Large rigid containers
• Fish tubs
• Heavy-duty transfer containers

rather than conventional netting.

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🎨 Appearance

Typical body coloration may include:

• Dark gray
• Olive
• Brown
• Charcoal
• Nearly black

with dark blotches and markings forming:

• Zigzag patterns
• Irregular bands
• Connected blotches
• Longitudinal markings

The fins contrast dramatically with:

• Scarlet
• Orange
• Orange-red
• Deep red

coloration.

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🧬 Scientific Identification

One feature used to distinguish Pseudacanthicus pirarara from related species is its combination of:

• Connected dark blotches forming zigzag bands along the body
• Dark markings on the underside
• Strong orange-to-red coloration on the unbranched fin rays
• Red coloration that may extend onto neighboring branched rays

These characteristics help separate it from similar species such as:

• Pseudacanthicus pitanga
• Pseudacanthicus leopardus

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🆚 L025 vs. L024

L025 is commonly confused with:

L024 – Pseudacanthicus pitanga

Both are large red-finned cactus plecos.

However:

L025 – Pseudacanthicus pirarara

• Rio Xingu Basin
• Generally darker body
• More extensive intense red coloration
• Scarlet coloration can occur on all fins
• Different body markings

L024 – Pseudacanthicus pitanga

• Tocantins-Araguaia Basin
• Different pattern and locality
• Generally less extensive scarlet coloration

They are:

Separate Species

and should not be mixed or mislabeled.

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📏 Adult Size

FishBase currently records:

40.5 cm / approximately 15.9 inches total length

for Pseudacanthicus pirarara.

Specialist loricariid references also document:

16"+ Adults

and some references report maximum potential approaching:

17–18 inches

For customer planning, I recommend:

Approximately 15–17 Inches

with the understanding that exceptionally large individuals may exceed that range.

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🚨 Do Not Purchase Based on Current Size

A juvenile or subadult L025 may appear manageable.

A mature specimen becomes:

• Large
• Thick-bodied
• Extremely powerful
• Heavily armored
• Territorial
• Heavy feeding
• Heavy waste producing

Customers should purchase this fish based on its:

ADULT SIZE

not its current sale size.

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🏠 Aquarium Size

For one mature L025 Scarlet Cactus Pleco:

125 gallons should be considered the minimum

with:

180 gallons or larger strongly preferred

for a fully grown adult.

Larger aquariums are particularly important when keeping:

• Large cichlids
• Other plecos
• Additional bottom dwellers
• Multiple L025s

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📐 Aquarium Footprint Matters

This species spends most of its life near the bottom.

Prioritize:

Length + Width

rather than excessive aquarium height.

A mature Scarlet Cactus Pleco requires enough floor space to:

• Turn comfortably
• Establish territory
• Enter large caves
• Feed without competition
• Avoid tankmates

A wide aquarium becomes increasingly important as the fish reaches 15"+.

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🏠 Aquarium Setup

An ideal L025 aquarium should contain:

• Large caves
• Large rock structures
• Slate
• Smooth boulders
• Driftwood
• Sand or smooth gravel
• Open bottom areas
• Strong filtration
• Strong circulation
• Excellent oxygenation
• Secure aquarium cover

Décor must be extremely stable.

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⚠️ Secure Heavy Décor

Large Pseudacanthicus are powerful fish.

They can:

• Push rocks
• Move wood
• Dig around structure
• Rearrange caves

Do not create unstable rock piles.

Place major rock structures securely so the fish cannot undermine them.

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🏠 Large Caves Are Essential

A mature L025 needs an appropriately sized shelter.

Suitable options include:

• Extra-large ceramic pleco caves
• Large PVC-style breeding tubes
• Slate caves
• Rock crevices
• Large protected cavities

The fish should be able to:

• Enter completely
• Turn or position comfortably
• Defend the shelter

When multiple large plecos are present:

Provide More Shelters Than Fish

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🌊 Natural Habitat

Pseudacanthicus pirarara is endemic to:

Brazil's Rio Xingu Basin

and occurs in portions of the:

• Lower Rio Xingu
• Middle Rio Xingu
• Rio Iriri
• Rio Bacajá

These are clear-water environments containing:

• Large rocks
• Boulders
• Rapids
• Strong currents
• Highly oxygenated water

The species is strongly associated with rocky bottom habitat.

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💨 HIGH OXYGENATION IS ESSENTIAL

The Rio Xingu is warm.

Warm water holds less oxygen than cooler water.

At the same time, a large L025:

• Has substantial body mass
• Eats heavily
• Produces significant waste
• Is adapted to moving water

Therefore:

EXTREMELY GOOD OXYGENATION IS IMPORTANT

Use:

• Strong surface agitation
• Powerful filter returns
• Air stones
• Powerheads
• Circulation pumps
• Sump filtration

as necessary.

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🌊 Water Movement

Provide:

Moderate to Strong Current

while also creating sheltered areas behind:

• Rocks
• Wood
• Caves

where the fish can rest.

The aquarium does not need to be a torrent everywhere.

An ideal design offers:

Strong Flow Areas + Protected Resting Areas

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💧 Water Parameters

A practical captive range is approximately:

• 🌡️ Temperature: 78–86°F
• 💧 pH: 6.0–7.5
• 💦 Water: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 💨 Oxygenation: Very High
• 🌊 Flow: Moderate to Strong
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep as low as reasonably practical

Some specialist references maintain L025 somewhat cooler, while others use approximately 79–86°F.

For long-term care:

Stability + Excellent Oxygenation

matter more than forcing one exact temperature.

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💩 Massive Filtration Requirements

A 15–17 inch carnivorous pleco creates substantial waste.

Strong filtration is mandatory.

Recommended filtration may include:

• Large sump filtration
• Large canister filtration
• Oversized biological filtration
• Heavy mechanical filtration
• Filter socks or rollers
• Powerful circulation

Regular large water changes should be expected.

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🍽️ Diet – Strongly Protein Oriented

The Scarlet Cactus Pleco is best considered a:

Carnivorous / Protein-Leaning Omnivore

It is very different nutritionally from large algae-grazing plecos.

Recommended foods include:

• 🦐 Shrimp
• 🦪 Mussels
• 🦪 Cockles
• Krill
• Mysis shrimp
• Bloodworms
• Earthworms
• Insect-based foods
• Quality sinking carnivore pellets
• High-quality large catfish pellets

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🦐 Aquatic Protein Should Form the Core Diet

Large L025s particularly appreciate:

• Prawn
• Mussel
• Shrimp
• Other appropriate aquatic invertebrates

These foods closely match the protein-oriented feeding behavior associated with the genus.

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🌿 Should L025 Eat Vegetables?

Small amounts of plant-based foods can still be offered for dietary variety.

Possible foods include:

• Zucchini
• Peas
• Spirulina-containing foods
• Vegetable-containing sinking pellets

However:

Vegetables should not form the primary diet.

Do not maintain L025 like an herbivorous pleco.

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🚫 Not an Algae-Eating Pleco

Do not purchase an L025 expecting it to clean algae.

It is:

NOT AN ALGAE-CLEANING SPECIES

While it may occasionally graze surfaces or consume miscellaneous food, aquarium algae does not meet its nutritional requirements.

Feed the fish intentionally.

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🪵 Driftwood

Driftwood is useful for:

• Shelter
• Shade
• Territory boundaries
• Natural structure

However:

L025 is not a specialized wood eater.

It does not require wood as a digestive food source.

Use driftwood for:

• Habitat
• Cover
• Enrichment

rather than as nutrition.

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🚫 Avoid Routine Feeder Fish

We do not recommend routinely feeding live feeder fish.

Feeder fish may introduce:

• Parasites
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Nutritional deficiencies

This pleco readily accepts appropriate:

• Seafood
• Pellets
• Frozen foods

so feeder fish are unnecessary.

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⚠️ Avoid Excessive Feeding

L025 is a large, enthusiastic feeder.

Too much rich food can result in:

• Excess waste
• Rising nitrate
• Poor water quality
• Obesity

Feed appropriate portions and remove uneaten food.

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🌙 Nocturnal Behavior

The Scarlet Cactus Pleco is primarily:

Nocturnal / Crepuscular

It may remain hidden for much of the day.

Activity commonly increases:

• At dusk
• After lights go out
• During feeding
• Under subdued lighting

Large established specimens may become increasingly bold during daytime.

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😠 Temperament

L025 is:

HIGHLY TERRITORIAL

especially toward:

• Other L025s
• Other Pseudacanthicus
• Other large plecos
• Similar bottom-dwelling catfish

This fish should not be described simply as peaceful.

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⚔️ Cactus Plecos Can Fight Seriously

Adult L025s possess:

• Powerful bodies
• Strong pectoral fins
• Heavy armor
• Large odontodes

Territorial battles can cause:

• Torn fins
• Damaged eyes
• Open wounds
• Severe abrasion
• Death

This is especially dangerous when two large plecos compete for the same cave.

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🐠 Tankmates

The L025 can coexist with appropriately sized midwater fish in a sufficiently large aquarium.

Potential tankmates may include:

• Large barbs
• Silver dollars
• Large characins
• Robust cichlids
• Other large upper-water fish

The biggest compatibility concerns usually involve:

Other Large Bottom Dwellers

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⚠️ Avoid Bottom Overcrowding

Do not evaluate stocking only by gallon volume.

A large aquarium may still have insufficient bottom territory if it contains:

• Multiple giant plecos
• Large catfish
• Loaches
• Other cave-dependent species

L025 requires substantial personal territory.

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Sexing becomes easier in mature fish.

Mature Males

Males commonly develop:

• Heavier odontode growth
• Strong odontodes on pectoral fins
• More extensive body odontodes
• More pronounced head structure
• Strong cave territoriality

Mature Females

Females generally:

• Become broader through the abdomen
• Develop fuller bodies
• Display less extensive odontode growth

Juveniles can be difficult to sex reliably.

Unless confirmed:

Sell as Unsexed

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🥚 Breeding

The Scarlet Cactus Pleco has been:

Successfully Bred in Captivity

It is a:

Cave-Spawning Pleco

A mature male establishes and defends an appropriately sized cave.

A receptive female enters the shelter and deposits eggs.

After spawning:

THE MALE GUARDS THE EGGS

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👨‍🔬 Captive Breeding Has Been Documented

Captive breeding work with Pseudacanthicus pirarara has been documented by researchers associated with the Federal University of Pará in Altamira, Brazil.

Successful breeding observations include:

• Adult sexing
• Cave selection
• Egg guarding
• Fry development
• Juvenile growth

This confirms that L025 is not simply assumed to be a cave spawner:

Cave spawning has actually been documented.

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🥚 Egg Clutches

Aquarium breeding reports have documented:

Large Orange Egg Clutches

with some breeders reporting several hundred eggs from mature females.

Exact clutch size varies according to:

• Female size
• Age
• Conditioning
• Genetics

The male remains inside the breeding cave and provides parental care.

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🏠 Breeding Cave

Because adults become extremely large, breeding caves must also be large.

Suitable shelters include:

• Large ceramic tubes
• Oversized pleco caves
• Heavy PVC-style tubes
• Custom slate structures

The cave must be:

• Large enough for the adults
• Narrow enough for the male to defend
• Stable
• Positioned in strong oxygenated water

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💨 Breeding Conditions

Successful breeding generally requires:

• Mature compatible adults
• Excellent conditioning
• High-quality protein foods
• Very clean water
• High oxygenation
• Suitable caves
• Strong filtration
• Significant water changes

This is:

An Advanced Breeding Project

because of the species' size and aggression.

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👶 Raising Fry

Young L025 can initially be fed:

• Fine sinking carnivore foods
• Crushed protein-rich pellets
• Baby brine shrimp
• Small frozen foods
• Fine insect-based foods

As the fry grow, food size can gradually increase.

Excellent water quality is critical because rich protein foods can quickly pollute fry-rearing systems.

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🧬 Preserve Locality & 7 Pointer Lines

When breeding L025:

• Record the parents
• Preserve locality information
• Record 7 Pointer lineage
• Avoid casually mixing different Pseudacanthicus

Do not breed:

• L024
• L025
• L600-type fish
• Other Pseudacanthicus

together and then sell the offspring as pure species.

Any hybrid offspring should always be labeled honestly.

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🌎 Conservation Status

Pseudacanthicus pirarara currently remains:

Not Evaluated

on the IUCN Red List.

The species is endemic to Brazil's:

Rio Xingu Basin

and FishBase indicates relatively low population resilience compared with many small aquarium fishes.

Responsible aquarium keeping is especially important for large wild-caught locality fish.

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⭐ Why Keep an L025 Scarlet Cactus Pleco 7 Pointer?

For an aquarist properly equipped for a large territorial pleco, the L025 7 Pointer is an extraordinary fish.

Its combination of:

• 🔥 Scarlet-red fins
• 🔥 Seven-fin color development
• ⚫ Dramatic dark body pattern
• 🌵 Heavy cactus-like odontodes
• 💪 Massive adult build
• 📏 15–17 inch adult potential
• 🌊 Rio Xingu ancestry
• 🌙 Nocturnal behavior
• 🥚 Fascinating cave-spawning reproduction
• 🇧🇷 Brazilian origin
• 🏆 Exceptional showpiece appearance

makes Pseudacanthicus pirarara one of the most impressive large plecos available.

A mature 7 Pointer displaying intense red coloration across all seven fins is an incredible centerpiece animal.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing an L025 Scarlet Cactus Pleco 7 Pointer:

• The correct scientific name is Pseudacanthicus pirarara.
• L025 was formally described in 2016.
• 7 Pointer is an aquarium-trade form, not a separate species.
• 7 Pointer refers to red coloration on all seven individual fins.
• It does not refer to seven white dorsal spines.
• This listing is for wild-caught fish.
• The species is endemic to Brazil's Rio Xingu Basin.
• Plan for approximately 15–17 inches adult length.
• Exceptional adults may become even larger.
• Do not purchase based on current size.
• Provide at least approximately 125 gallons.
• 180+ gallons is strongly preferred for mature adults.
• Prioritize aquarium width and bottom territory.
• Provide extremely large secure caves.
• Maintain excellent oxygenation.
• Provide moderate to strong water movement.
• Use extremely strong filtration.
• Maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Feed a protein-oriented diet.
• Provide shrimp, mussels, aquatic invertebrates, and quality carnivore pellets.
• Do not treat this species as an algae cleaner.
• Expect strong territorial aggression toward other plecos.
• Provide separate territories for all large bottom dwellers.
• Preserve 7 Pointer and locality information when breeding.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Taxonomy

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Pseudacanthicus pirarara Chamon & Sousa, 2016

Classification:

• Order: Siluriformes
• Family: Loricariidae
• Subfamily: Hypostominae
• Genus: Pseudacanthicus
• Species: pirarara

The type locality is:

Rio Xingu, Senador José Porfírio, Pedral do Caitucá, Pará, Brazil

The species is distributed through portions of the:

• Rio Xingu
• Rio Iriri
• Rio Bacajá

For this product, use:

L025 Scarlet Cactus Pleco 7 Pointer – (Pseudacanthicus pirarara)

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🔥 7 Pointer Identification Disclaimer

“7 Pointer” is an aquarium-trade designation describing particularly strong red/orange coloration across the fish's seven fins.

It is not:

• A separate scientific species
• A recognized subspecies
• A guarantee that every individual will maintain identical red intensity throughout life

Color may vary according to:

• Locality
• Genetics
• Age
• Stress
• Diet
• Water quality
• Lighting
• Acclimation

When exact locality is known, it should be preserved with the fish's records.

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Large L025 Scarlet Cactus Plecos require specialized professional packing.

Shipping availability depends on:

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

Because of their:

• Heavy armored body
• Strong pectoral spines
• Numerous odontodes
• Large size

larger specimens may require:

• Heavy-duty shipping bags
• Reusable shipping bags
• Multiple protective layers
• Oversized insulated boxes
• Additional water
• Specialized packing
• Airline cargo shipping

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 Pseudacanthicus pirarara may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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