⚫ L350 Coal Pleco – (Peckoltia pankimpuju) – Wild-Caught Peruvian Lyretail Pleco

The L350 Coal Pleco (Peckoltia pankimpuju), also known as the Peruvian Lyretail Pleco or Imperial Coal Pleco, is one of the most unusual large plecos originating from Peru's upper Amazon River system.

L350 is immediately recognizable by its:

• Long, streamlined body
• Reduced eyes
• Dark charcoal to coal-black coloration in many shallow-water specimens
• Extremely long upper and lower caudal-fin streamers
• Powerful armored body
• Unusual deep-river adaptations

One of the most fascinating characteristics of Peckoltia pankimpuju is that coloration can differ dramatically depending on habitat. The scientifically described deep-water specimens were extremely pale, while shallower-water aquarium specimens may become dark gray, mottled, or nearly coal black.

This listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L350 COAL PLECOS

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🔎 Quick Facts – L350 Coal Pleco

• 📛 Common Name: Coal Pleco
• 📛 Other Names: Peruvian Lyretail Pleco, Imperial Coal Pleco, L350
• 🔢 L-Number: L350
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Peckoltia pankimpuju
• 📚 Original Scientific Name: Hemiancistrus pankimpuju
• 📅 Formally Described: 2008
• 🐟 Family: Loricariidae
• 🧬 Subfamily: Hypostominae
• 🌿 Stock: Wild Caught
• 📏 Current Body Size: Approximately 7–8 inches
• 🪶 Current Length With Streamers: Approximately 12 inches
• 🇵🇪 Country: Peru
• 🌊 Primary Scientific Locality: Rio Marañón
• 📍 Type Locality: Pongo de Manseriche, Amazonas, Peru
• 🌊 Additional Aquarium Collection Records: Rio Ucayali and Rio Huallaga systems
• 🌎 River System: Upper Amazon Basin
• 💧 Water Type: Freshwater
• 🪨 Habitat: Large river channels, rocky substrates and strong current
• 🌑 Special Adaptation: Deep-water forms show reduced pigmentation and reduced eyes
• 📏 Original Scientific Specimen Maximum: 130.1 mm / approximately 5.1 inches standard length
• 📏 Specialist Adult Total-Length Records: Approximately 16–20 inches including long caudal streamers
• 🏠 Recommended Permanent Aquarium: Approximately 150 gallons or larger
• 🏠 Preferred Adult Aquarium: 180+ gallons
• 📐 Recommended Aquarium Length: Approximately 6–7 feet or longer
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 73–82°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
• 💨 Oxygenation: Very High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Strong
• 🍽️ Diet: Omnivore With an Animal-Protein Lean
• 🦐 Animal / Invertebrate Foods: Important
• 🌿 Plant Foods: Useful as part of a varied diet
• 🚫 Algae Cleaner: No
• 🪵 Driftwood: Useful for structure and grazing but not a complete diet
• 😌 Temperament: Generally peaceful toward midwater fish
• ⚠️ Pleco Temperament: May defend preferred shelters from other large bottom dwellers
• 🌙 Activity: Primarily crepuscular / nocturnal
• 🥚 Captive Breeding: Not reliably documented
• ⭐ Care Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• 🌎 IUCN Status: Least Concern
• 📦 Shipping: Large specimen with long streamers requires careful heavy-duty packing

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🧬 Valid Scientific Species

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Peckoltia pankimpuju

The species was formally described in:

2008

by:

• Nathan K. Lujan
• Carine Chamon

It was originally described as:

Hemiancistrus pankimpuju

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🔄 Taxonomic Change

Later phylogenetic and taxonomic work showed that this unusual species is more closely associated with:

Peckoltia

and it was transferred to:

Peckoltia pankimpuju

The species looks very different from a typical small Peckoltia, which explains why older aquarium references may still use:

Hemiancistrus pankimpuju

For this product, use:

L350 Coal Pleco – (Peckoltia pankimpuju)

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🤔 An Unusual Peckoltia

L350 does not look like most fish aquarists associate with:

Peckoltia

It has:

• A much more elongated body
• Very long tail filaments
• Reduced eyes
• Specialized deep-water characteristics
• Much greater potential total length

Its placement within Peckoltia has therefore surprised many longtime pleco keepers.

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🔢 L350

The aquarium designation:

L350

was assigned before the species received its formal scientific description.

Because L350 is now formally identified, the L-number and scientific name may both be used:

L350 – Peckoltia pankimpuju

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📖 What Does pankimpuju Mean?

The species name comes from the:

AWAJÚN LANGUAGE

of northern Peru.

It combines words meaning approximately:

BEAUTIFUL + WHITE

and refers to the extremely pale coloration of the deep-water specimens used in the original scientific description.

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⚫ Why Is It Called the Coal Pleco?

Aquarium specimens collected from shallower environments may look dramatically different from the pale scientific type specimens.

These fish can become:

• Dark gray
• Charcoal
• Black
• Coal black
• Mottled black and gray

which led to the aquarium name:

COAL PLECO

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🌑 Deep-Water vs. Shallow-Water Appearance

One of the most fascinating aspects of this species is its relationship between:

DEPTH AND COLORATION

Deep-water fish may show:

• Greatly reduced pigment
• Pale or nearly white coloration
• Very small eyes

while shallower specimens may display:

• Dark pigmentation
• Strong mottling
• Coal-black coloration

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🔬 Deep-Water Adaptation

The original scientific description proposed that several unusual characteristics were adaptations to life in:

DARK, TURBID DEEP-RIVER HABITAT

These characteristics include:

• Reduced eyes
• Reduced pigmentation
• Absence of a typical iris operculum
• Extremely long caudal-fin streamers

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👁️ Reduced Eyes

L350 has unusually:

SMALL EYES

for a pleco.

This is believed to reflect the limited usefulness of vision in the dark and turbid deeper portions of the river.

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🪶 Extreme Lyretail Streamers

One of the most spectacular features of L350 is the development of:

VERY LONG CAUDAL-FIN FILAMENTS

Both the:

• Upper caudal ray
• Lower caudal ray

can extend far beyond the main tail.

This produces the:

LYRETAIL

appearance associated with the common name:

PERUVIAN LYRETAIL PLECO

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📏 Streamers Can Add Considerable Length

When measuring L350, it is important to distinguish between:

BODY LENGTH

and:

TOTAL LENGTH INCLUDING STREAMERS

A mature fish can appear dramatically longer when the intact caudal filaments are included.

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⚠️ Fin Streamers Can Be Damaged

The long tail streamers can be damaged by:

• Aggressive tankmates
• Sharp décor
• Poor handling
• Shipping
• Tight caves
• Fighting

Provide:

• Plenty of swimming room
• Smooth décor
• Large shelters

to protect them.

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🔄 Streamer Regrowth

Minor fin damage may regrow under:

• Excellent water quality
• Good nutrition
• Low stress

However, exact streamer length cannot be guaranteed.

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⚠️ Color Disclaimer

Exact coloration cannot be guaranteed.

Wild L350 can differ substantially in:

• Body darkness
• Amount of mottling
• Gray coloration
• Black coloration
• Fin pattern
• Streamer development

Color can also change temporarily because of:

• Shipping
• Stress
• Lighting
• Aquarium background
• Water conditions
• Acclimation

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🌎 Native Distribution

Peckoltia pankimpuju is native to:

PERU

within the:

UPPER AMAZON BASIN

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🌊 Rio Marañón

The scientifically confirmed type locality is the:

RIO MARAÑÓN

at:

PONGO DE MANSERICHE

in Amazonas, Peru.

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🏔️ Pongo de Manseriche

The:

PONGO DE MANSERICHE

is a dramatic gorge through which the Rio Marañón flows before continuing toward the Amazon lowlands.

The river becomes:

• Narrow
• Deep
• Powerful
• Turbid
• Highly oxygenated

with extensive:

• Boulders
• Rocks
• Strong current

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🌊 Additional Aquarium Collection Localities

Specialist aquarium records also associate L350 with portions of the:

• Rio Ucayali
• Rio Huallaga
• Upper Amazon system

in Peru.

Because locality records for this unusual species remain limited:

PRESERVE COLLECTION INFORMATION WHEN AVAILABLE

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🪨 Natural Habitat

L350 is associated with major river environments containing:

• Strong current
• Large rocks
• Boulders
• Deep channels
• Turbid water
• High dissolved oxygen

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🌑 Dim Habitat

The natural water can be:

VERY TURBID

meaning little light may penetrate into deeper habitat.

This helps explain why L350 can be:

LIGHT SENSITIVE

in captivity.

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💡 Aquarium Lighting

L350 generally benefits from:

• Moderate lighting
• Dim areas
• Shaded structures
• Large rock overhangs
• Dark refuges

Bright lighting without adequate shelter can make the fish:

• Withdrawn
• Stressed
• Difficult to observe

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🪨 Aquarium Setup

A suitable L350 aquarium should contain:

• Large smooth rocks
• Boulders
• Rock overhangs
• Large sheltered areas
• Driftwood
• Open bottom areas
• Strong circulation
• Powerful filtration
• Very high oxygenation

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🏠 Shelter Type

L350 appears especially comfortable around:

ROCKY STRUCTURE

and broad shaded spaces.

Do not assume that it will always prefer a narrow ceramic cave like a smaller Hypancistrus.

Offer a variety of:

• Rock shelters
• Large caves
• Overhangs
• Driftwood cavities

and allow the fish to choose.

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🌊 Strong Current

The Pongo de Manseriche and other associated habitats can have:

VERY STRONG WATER MOVEMENT

L350 should therefore receive substantial circulation.

Use:

• Powerheads
• Circulation pumps
• Strong filter returns
• Sump returns

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⚠️ Current Should Include Resting Areas

The aquarium should not force the fish to battle the strongest flow continuously.

Create:

HIGH-FLOW AREAS

along with:

CURRENT BREAKS

behind:

• Rocks
• Wood
• Shelters

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💨 Very High Oxygenation

This species should receive:

VERY HIGH DISSOLVED OXYGEN

Provide:

• Strong surface movement
• Air stones
• Powerheads
• Sump returns
• High filtration turnover

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🌡️ Temperature

Natural and specialist aquarium records generally support approximately:

73–82°F / 23–28°C

A good routine maintenance range is approximately:

75–81°F

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💧 Water Parameters

A practical long-term range is:

• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 73–82°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
• 💨 Oxygenation: Very High
• 🌊 Water Movement: Strong
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep low

Stable water quality is especially important for large wild-caught specimens.

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⚠️ Do Not Keep L350 in Stagnant Water

Avoid:

• Poor circulation
• Low oxygen
• Heavy organic buildup
• Dirty substrate
• Excess nitrate

This species is adapted to a:

LARGE, FLOWING RIVER ENVIRONMENT

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💩 Filtration

Use strong:

• Mechanical filtration
• Biological filtration
• Water circulation

Suitable systems include:

• Large canister filters
• Sump filtration
• Powerheads
• Prefilters
• Supplemental aeration

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📏 Adult Size – Important Correction

L350 has been the source of considerable size confusion.

The original scientific description included a largest specimen measuring:

130.1 MM STANDARD LENGTH

or approximately:

5.1 INCHES BEFORE THE TAIL

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⚠️ That Is Not a Proven Maximum Size

The scientific figure represents the largest specimen available to the researchers.

It should:

NOT

be interpreted as the maximum possible adult size.

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📏 Aquarium Specimens Are Much Larger

Wild aquarium specimens regularly exceed that scientific type-series measurement.

The current specimen listed by Jason's Plecos & Cichlids is already approximately:

7–8 INCHES IN BODY LENGTH

and approximately:

12 INCHES INCLUDING THE CAUDAL STREAMERS

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📏 Specialist Adult Records

Modern specialist L-number sources report total adult sizes of approximately:

40–50 CM

or roughly:

16–20 INCHES TOTAL LENGTH

when the long caudal streamers are included.

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⚠️ Do Not Use 5 Inches as the Maximum

The former small-size recommendation is clearly inappropriate for:

L350

A fish currently measuring 7–8 inches in body length already exceeds it.

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📏 Responsible Size Wording

Because L350 has extreme tail streamers and limited formal growth data, the most responsible wording is:

BODY SIZE AND STREAMER LENGTH VARY CONSIDERABLY

and:

MATURE FISH MAY APPROACH 16–20 INCHES TOTAL LENGTH WHEN LONG CAUDAL STREAMERS ARE INCLUDED

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🏠 Aquarium Size

For permanent adult housing:

150 GALLONS OR LARGER

is a much safer recommendation.

I prefer:

180+ GALLONS

for a large mature specimen.

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📐 Aquarium Length

Specialist references recommend tanks around:

200 CM

or approximately:

6.5 FEET LONG

for mature L350.

A:

6–7 FOOT OR LONGER AQUARIUM

is therefore an excellent long-term goal.

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📐 Width Matters Too

A mature L350 needs room to:

• Turn
• Rest fully stretched
• Extend its fins
• Protect long streamers
• Move around large rocks

Choose:

LONG + WIDE

rather than simply tall.

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🍽️ Diet – Omnivore With an Animal-Protein Lean

The old page describes L350 as:

PRIMARILY HERBIVOROUS

I would remove that.

The exact natural diet of L350 remains:

POORLY STUDIED

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🦷 Dentition Suggests Animal Feeding

Specialist observations of its teeth suggest that L350 is likely adapted to consume substantial:

ANIMAL / INVERTEBRATE MATERIAL

rather than behaving primarily as an algae-grazing herbivore.

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🦐 Protein Foods

Suitable animal foods include:

• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Krill
• Chopped shrimp
• Mussel
• Bloodworms
• Mosquito larvae
• Insect larvae
• Quality carnivore-oriented sinking foods

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🌿 Plant & Prepared Foods

L350 also accepts:

• Spirulina-containing foods
• Plant-containing wafers
• Quality omnivore pellets
• Quality sinking tablets
• Vegetable-containing prepared foods

This supports describing it as:

AN OMNIVORE

rather than a strict carnivore.

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⚖️ Balanced Feeding

The safest feeding strategy is:

QUALITY SINKING FOODS + ANIMAL / INSECT PROTEIN + SOME PLANT-BASED FOODS

rather than feeding only:

• Vegetables

or only:

• Meat.

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🚫 Not an Algae Cleaner

L350 should:

NOT BE PURCHASED FOR ALGAE CONTROL

There is no evidence that this unusual deep-river pleco should be treated as a dedicated aquarium algae grazer.

Intentional feeding is required.

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🪵 Driftwood

Driftwood can provide:

• Shelter
• Shade
• Biofilm
• Natural structure

Some aquarium references report L350 rasping softer wood.

However:

DO NOT PRESENT WOOD AS A COMPLETE FOOD OR AS NECESSARY FOR DIGESTION

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🌙 Nocturnal Behavior

L350 is primarily:

NOCTURNAL / CREPUSCULAR

This fits its naturally dark and turbid habitat.

Activity usually increases:

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

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🌑 Light Sensitivity

L350 can be noticeably uncomfortable under:

INTENSE LIGHTING

Provide shaded areas so the fish can choose its preferred light level.

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🧪 Wild-Caught Acclimation

This listing is for:

WILD-CAUGHT L350 COAL PLECOS

Large wild specimens deserve careful acclimation.

After arrival:

• Provide immediate shade
• Provide large shelter
• Maintain very high oxygen
• Maintain strong circulation
• Avoid abrupt temperature changes
• Avoid abrupt pH changes
• Keep water exceptionally clean
• Confirm feeding

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🍽️ Confirm Feeding

Offer food:

• Near shelters
• At dusk
• After lights out
• In several locations

Watch closely for:

• Sunken abdomen
• Loss of muscle mass
• Refusal to feed
• Rapid respiration

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😌 Temperament

L350 is generally considered:

PEACEFUL

toward appropriately sized midwater fish.

Its intimidating size and appearance do not mean it is an aggressive predator.

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⚠️ Bottom-Dwelling Territoriality

Like many large loricariids, mature L350 may still defend:

• Favorite shelters
• Rock structures
• Feeding locations

from other large bottom dwellers.

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👥 Multiple Large Plecos

If keeping L350 with other large plecos:

• Provide substantial floor space
• Provide several shelters
• Provide multiple feeding locations
• Create visual barriers

A large aquarium is essential.

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🐠 Tankmates

Potential tankmates may include compatible:

• Large tetras
• Silver dollars
• Peaceful to moderately assertive cichlids
• Other robust tropical fish

provided they tolerate:

• Strong circulation
• High oxygen
• Similar temperatures

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🛡️ Handling L350

Large L350 have:

• Strong pectoral spines
• Armored bodies
• Very long tail streamers

Handle carefully.

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🚫 Avoid Damaging the Streamers

Ordinary handling can damage the delicate:

CAUDAL FILAMENTS

Use a:

• Large rigid container
• Fish tub
• Oversized heavy-duty fish bag

when practical.

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📦 Shipping Large L350

The current fish requires extra care because it is already approximately:

• 7–8 inches in body length
• Approximately 12 inches including streamers

Large specimens may require:

• Large insulated boxes
• Heavy-duty bags
• Multiple protective bag layers
• Additional water
• Extra room for the tail streamers
• Specialized packing

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Reliable sexing information for mature L350 remains limited.

General loricariid characteristics may include differences in:

• Head shape
• Odontode development
• Body width

but these should not be used casually to guarantee sex.

Unless confidently identified:

SELL AS UNSEXED

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🥚 Captive Breeding – Poorly Documented

Captive breeding of:

Peckoltia pankimpuju

is:

NOT RELIABLY DOCUMENTED

in the established specialist references.

Therefore:

DO NOT INVENT CAVE-SPAWNING DETAILS

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⚠️ Do Not Assume Every Peckoltia Breeds the Same Way

Many smaller Peckoltia are known cave spawners.

However, L350 is an extremely unusual:

• Large
• Deep-river
• Long-streamered

species.

Until species-specific reproduction is reliably documented, avoid publishing:

• Exact cave sizes
• Clutch sizes
• Incubation times
• Breeding triggers

as established L350 facts.

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🌎 Conservation Status

Peckoltia pankimpuju is currently assessed as:

LEAST CONCERN

The published assessment dates to:

2016

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⚠️ Least Concern Does Not Mean Disposable

The species remains:

• Unusual
• Poorly studied
• Wild collected
• Specialized for major river habitat

Responsible long-term care remains important.

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⭐ Why Keep an L350 Coal Pleco?

The L350 combines:

• ⚫ Coal-black shallow-water coloration
• 👻 Pale deep-water forms
• 👁️ Reduced eyes
• 🪶 Extraordinary lyretail streamers
• 🌊 Peruvian upper-Amazon origin
• 🏔️ Pongo de Manseriche habitat
• 💨 High-flow river adaptation
• 📏 Very impressive total adult length
• 🍽️ Unusual omnivorous feeding ecology
• 🌙 Nocturnal personality
• 🧬 Fascinating deep-water adaptations
• 🐟 One of the most unusual fish currently placed within Peckoltia

into a highly distinctive large pleco for experienced aquarists.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing an L350 Coal Pleco:

• The correct current scientific name is Peckoltia pankimpuju.
• The species was originally described as Hemiancistrus pankimpuju.
• It was formally described in 2008.
• It was moved to Peckoltia following later phylogenetic work.
• The species originates from Peru.
• The primary scientific locality is the Rio Marañón.
• The type locality is the Pongo de Manseriche.
• Specialist aquarium records also associate L350 with the Ucayali and Huallaga systems.
• This listing is for wild-caught fish.
• Deep-water fish may be extremely pale.
• Shallower-water aquarium specimens may be charcoal or coal black.
• Reduced eyes are a natural characteristic.
• Extremely long caudal-fin filaments are normal.
• Current fish are approximately 7–8 inches in body length.
• Current fish may measure approximately 12 inches including streamers.
• The original scientific type series did not establish the true maximum adult size.
• Specialist sources report approximately 40–50 cm total length when long streamers are included.
• Do not describe L350 as a small or medium-sized pleco.
• Provide approximately 150 gallons or larger.
• 180+ gallons is preferred for a mature specimen.
• A 6–7 foot aquarium is strongly recommended.
• Provide large shaded areas and rocky shelters.
• Maintain approximately 73–82°F.
• Maintain very high dissolved oxygen.
• Provide strong water movement.
• Maintain ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Keep nitrate low.
• Do not describe L350 as primarily herbivorous.
• Feed a varied omnivorous diet.
• Animal and insect protein should be an important component.
• Provide some plant-containing and prepared foods.
• Do not purchase L350 as an algae cleaner.
• Do not claim driftwood is required specifically for digestion.
• Protect the long caudal streamers from damage.
• Captive breeding is not reliably documented.
• Do not invent cave-spawning or clutch information.
• The species is currently assessed as Least Concern.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Taxonomy

The currently accepted scientific name is:

Peckoltia pankimpuju (Lujan & Chamon, 2008)

Original scientific combination:

Hemiancistrus pankimpuju Lujan & Chamon, 2008

Classification:

• Order: Siluriformes
• Family: Loricariidae
• Subfamily: Hypostominae
• Tribe: Peckoltini
• Genus: Peckoltia
• Species: pankimpuju
• L-Number: L350

Primary scientific locality:

RIO MARAÑÓN – PONGO DE MANSERICHE – PERU

For this product, use:

L350 Coal Pleco – (Peckoltia pankimpuju)

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🔢 L-Number & Locality Disclaimer

L350 remains the established aquarium designation for:

Peckoltia pankimpuju

Because this unusual species has historically been sold under several names, preserve:

• L350
• Scientific name
• Supplier identification
• Collection locality when known

Older names may include:

• Hemiancistrus pankimpuju
• Peruvian Lyretail Pleco
• Imperial Pleco
• Coal Pleco

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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

Large L350 Coal Plecos require extra care because of their:

• Long caudal streamers
• Strong pectoral spines
• Armored body
• Large overall shipping length

Depending on specimen size, specialized packing may include:

• Larger insulated shipping boxes
• Heavy-duty bags
• Multiple protective layers
• Additional water
• Extra room for the caudal streamers
• Airline cargo shipping when appropriate

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

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.