
L168 Butterfly Nose Pleco
- Low stock - 2 items left
- Inventory on the way
- Live Arrival Guarantee
- All our live fish, shrimp, snails are care with love and passion, when through minimum of 14 days quarantined and shipped from Splashy Fish facility in Springfield, Virginia, USA
This is only apply to live fish order.
What is Our Live Arrival Guarantee?
Benefit from our extensive experience in shipping live fish. In 2021, our records indicated a mere 0.5% dead-on-arrival (DOA) rate for all live fish orders, compared to the industry standard of 1.5%. These numbers translate to only 5 out of 1000 orders experiencing DOA fish.
At Splashy Fish, customer satisfaction is our priority. That's why we provide a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all animals shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Please note - Splashy Fish reserves the right to void Live Arrival Guarantee protection under the following circumstances:
- The customer has chosen USPS First Class Mail as a shipping method.
- The shipping address is a PO Box address
- The order was refused delivery by the customer.
- If the order is returned to the sender for any reason. For instance, an incorrect shipping address, an undeliverable address, etc.
- The order was held for pick up at USPS, UPS, and FedEx offices for longer than 24 hours after the last update on the tracking number.
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not include all the requirements mentioned below
- The Live Arrival Guarantee claim is made after the claim period mentioned below.
- The animals are not in their original packaging
Live Arrival Guarantee Claim Period:
For Live Fish and other invertebrates, one and a half hours (1.5 hours) after the posted delivery time.
For Snails: 48 hours after the posted delivery time.
Steps to claim Splashy Fish's Live Arrival Guarantee:
- Take a picture of the shipping box and the shipping label.
- For live fish and other invertebrates: Please provide two pictures of each bag (containing the dead fish) upon arrival. Ensure the images display the bag in its original, unopened condition with the original rubber band intact
- For Snails: Position the snail in one corner of the tank. If the snail does not move within 48 hours, please take several pictures of the snail's opening
- Send an email to DOA@splashyfishstore.com with the subject line: DOA and Your Order Number, or message us on social media.
- In the body of the email, include your tracking number.
- The claim must be sent within the claim period mentioned above.
After submitting the required information, please allow us 1-3 business days to determine the cause of the issue. If the claim is valid and approved by our team, you will
- Receive a store credit for future purchases, excluding the shipping cost, of the dead-on-arrival fish
If the Live Arrival Guarantee claim does not meet all listed requirements, Splashy Fish reserves the right to reject it.
Shipping live animals and plants is a complex process, and temperature plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and secure delivery of your order.
If the highest daytime temperature in your location and the lowest nighttime temperature here in Springfield, Virginia—where our facility is situated—fall below 40°F or exceed 90°F, we will proactively delay your order. This measure is taken to prioritize the well-being of the animals and plants.
For the safety of our living cargo and to protect your investment, we retain the right to suspend shipping as necessary due to extreme weather conditions. Our Splashy Fish team will assess the situation and determine if it is unsuitable to ship, considering the safety of the animals.
To stay informed or address any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our dedicated Splashy Fish Support team via email at support@splashyfishstore.com.
Once our team prints and packs your order, we'll notify you via email. This notification will include your tracking number and the expected arrival day. If you opt for UPS 2 Day shipping, your package should arrive within 2 days after shipment. Similarly, if you choose UPS 1 Day, your order will reach you the day after it is shipped. In the case of orders containing only plants or dry goods, they may be shipped via USPS, provided that this is the selected shipping option during checkout.
We ship all of the customer orders from our warehouse located in Springfield, VA. We pack and ship our orders depending on the orders with the exception of someday we cannot ship out live fish.
All Orders: will be shipped out from Monday to Thursday each week for overnight shipping by UPS.
Sunday: (Splashy Day) Today is the day we let our hard-working team members and our fish to destress and ready for the following week's shipment.
For more information regarding about shipping please visit us our Shipping Policy and Schedule
Add striking patterns and efficient algae-eating to your aquarium with the Butterfly Nose Pleco (Dekeyseria Picta), a rare and fascinating member of the pleco family, known for its eye-catching “butterfly” markings and distinctive snub nose. Sought after by aquascapers and pleco collectors alike, the Butterfly Nose Pleco (often listed as L168) is a top choice for planted, community, and biotope-style tanks.
The Butterfly Nose Pleco is native to the clear, fast-flowing rivers of South America, where it inhabits sandy or rocky bottoms shaded by overhanging vegetation. This pleco species is especially prized for its attractive, high-contrast markings, typically black, brown, or gray bodies accented by dramatic, creamy or golden lines and spots that evoke the wings of a butterfly. Their flattened body and uniquely rounded nose set them apart from more common plecos.
Butterfly Plecos remain relatively compact, typically reaching 4.5–6 inches (11–15 cm) in the home aquarium. Their manageable adult size, intricate patterns, and ability to blend into natural aquascapes make them ideal for both medium and large tanks. Their pectoral and dorsal fins are often boldly striped, and their body shape allows them to easily rest on rocks, driftwood, or broad leaves.
Butterfly Nose Plecos are peaceful, nocturnal bottom-dwellers that spend most of their time grazing on algae and biofilm. They are shy but hardy, adapting well to a range of freshwater environments when given ample hiding spots. They do best with other non-aggressive fish such as Tetras, Rasboras, Corydoras, and Dwarf Cichlids, and are excellent tankmates for planted and community aquariums. Avoid housing them with overly large or aggressive fish that may compete for food or territory.
At our Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Butterfly Nose Pleco for sale and other freshwater fish for sale are carefully selected and packed with love! Visit us to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS FISH:
- Striking butterfly-like body patterns and a unique snub-nosed profile
- Compact adult size (4.5–6 inches) suitable for most aquariums
- Excellent algae and biofilm grazer for planted and community tanks
- Peaceful and compatible with most non-aggressive species
- Hardy, long-lived, and low-maintenance with proper care
RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS:
- Tank Size: Minimum 20–30 gallons for a single adult
- Temperature: 75°–82°F (24°–28°C)
- pH: 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: 4–12 dGH
- Filtration: Strong, with moderate to high water flow and plenty of oxygen
CARE GUIDELINES:
- Diet: Omnivorous. Feed a varied diet of high-quality sinking wafers, algae tablets, blanched vegetables (such as zucchini and cucumber), and occasional protein-rich foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp).
- Aquascaping: Provide smooth stones, driftwood, and caves for shelter. Dense planting and shaded areas help mimic their natural habitat and reduce stress.
- Water Quality: Maintain stable, clean conditions with regular water changes and good filtration. Butterfly Plecos are sensitive to poor water quality and high nitrates.
- Tankmates: Keep with other peaceful community fish. Avoid large, aggressive species or fin-nippers.
Butterfly Nose Pleco Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How big does a Butterfly Nose Pleco get?
Butterfly Nose Plecos typically reach an adult size of 4.5 to 6 inches (11–15 cm) in a home aquarium. Their compact size makes them an excellent choice for mid-sized and larger community tanks, where they can easily navigate and graze on algae without outgrowing the setup.
How long does a Butterfly Nose Pleco live?
With proper care and a healthy environment, Butterfly Nose Plecos can live for 8 to 10 years, and sometimes even longer. Providing clean water, a varied diet, and plenty of hiding spots will help maximize their lifespan and ensure they remain active and healthy.
Are Butterfly Nose Plecos aggressive?
No, Butterfly Nose Plecos are not aggressive. They are peaceful, shy bottom-dwellers that get along well with other non-aggressive community fish. They prefer to hide during the day and become more active at night, making them ideal for planted and community tanks with plenty of shelters.