Scarlet cactus, Pseudacanthicus pirarara

Plecos · Pseudacanthicus

Scarlet cactus L025

Pseudacanthicus pirarara · Rio Xingu, Brazil

Photo: JSutton93, CC BY SA, via iNaturalist

Grey with scarlet fins. Can pass 60 cm, so it needs a tank of its own.

The Scarlet cactus L025 (Pseudacanthicus pirarara) is a freshwater fish from Rio Xingu, Brazil, where it lives in rapids habitat. Adults reach about 60 cm (23.6 in). Keep it at 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) and pH 5.5–7.5, with strong, well-oxygenated flow. It is aggressive. Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

At a glance

Water temperature

26–30 °C 79–86 °F

5.5–7.5 neutral water

Adult size

60 cm 23.6 in

Swims

Bottom mostly on the floor and in caves

Current

Strong fast, oxygen-rich water

Food

Meaty foods

Temperament

Aggressive

≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.

Where it comes from

Home water

Rio Xingu, Brazil

Xingu

Lives in rapids habitat.

The dot marks where it's collected. Map: Natural Earth.

Scarlet cactus

L025

≈

Plecos · PseudacanthicusRare

26–30°C
pH 5.5–7.5
Strong!
24 in!
Bottom
Meat
Aggressive!

Grey with scarlet fins.

Scarlet cactus

L025

Pseudacanthicus pirarara

Rio Xingu, Brazil · rapids

Temperature: 26–30°C
pH: 5.5–7.5
Adult size: 24 in · 60 cm
Flow: Strong
Swims: Bottom
Temperament: Aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Breeding: Rarely
Typical price: $400–1000
In Canada: Rare
Rarity: Rare or hard to breed

Grey with scarlet fins. Can pass 60 cm, so it needs a tank of its own.

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Photo: JSutton93, CC BY SA

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Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with high flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

Keep apart

Aggressive: scarlet cactus, it

Galaxy vampire L029 Guyana leopard cactus L600 Leopard cactus L114 Oscar Pea puffer Red-fin cactus L024
Want calm water

Angelfish Betta (Siamese fighting fish)

In the hobby

In stock now

Not in stock at any store we track.

Search Kijiji for L025

Tanks with this fish

No shared tanks have this fish yet. Share yours from Your tanks.

From keepers

Notes appear here when a keeper shares a tank with this fish and writes about it.

Questions keepers ask

How big does a Scarlet cactus L025 get?

About 60 cm (23.6 in) as an adult.

What temperature does a Scarlet cactus L025 need?

26–30 °C (79–86 °F).

What pH does a Scarlet cactus L025 need?

pH 5.5–7.5.

Is the Scarlet cactus L025 aggressive?

Yes. It is aggressive and needs careful planning.

What does a Scarlet cactus L025 eat?

Feed meaty foods: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and quality sinking pellets.

Where does the Scarlet cactus L025 come from?

Rio Xingu, Brazil.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)	26	Estimate
Temperature max (°C)	30	Estimate
pH min	5.5	Genus default (genus)
pH max	7.5	Genus default (genus)
Adult size (cm)	60	Estimate
Flow	High	Estimate
Habitat	rapids	Estimate
Temperament	Aggressive	Estimate
Diet	Carnivore	Estimate
Breeding difficulty	Rarely	Estimate
Availability in Canada	rare	Estimate
Typical price min (CAD)	400	Estimate
Typical price max (CAD)	1000	Estimate

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.