Taxonomy & naming
Peckoltia lineola was formally described by Jonathan W. Armbruster in 2008 as part of a comprehensive monograph revising the genus Peckoltia and reanalysing the phylogeny of the Hypostominae (Zootaxa 1822: 1–76, pp. 29, Figs. 2e, 16). The type locality is the Río Ventuari, 14 mi northeast of Macuruco, 58 mi east of San Fernando de Atabapo (4°04′50″N, 66°51′55″W), in the Río Orinoco drainage, Amazonas State, Venezuela. The Catalog of Fishes (Eschmeyer, CAS) recognises Peckoltia lineola Armbruster, 2008 as a valid species with no synonyms.
The specific epithet lineola is derived from the Latin lineola, meaning 'little line', and refers to the short lines visible on the compound pterotic bone of the skull — a character noted in the original description to help distinguish this species from its congeners.
In the aquarium trade this fish is best known under its LDA number LDA057, assigned in the German aquarium magazine 'Das Aquarium'. It also circulates under L202 and LDA079, which represent earlier or parallel hobbyist assignments to the same taxon; all three codes refer to Peckoltia lineola. The common name Shortlined Pleco reflects the etymological basis of the scientific epithet. Within its subfamily, Peckoltia belongs to the tribe Ancistrini and represents the smaller, pattern-rich bushynose relatives rather than the giant wood-eating Panaque lineage.
Morphology
Peckoltia lineola is a compact pleco reaching a maximum standard length of 4 in SL (FishBase, Ref. 77026). The body is moderately depressed anteriorly and laterally compressed through the caudal peduncle, and covered in interlocking bony scutes. Coloration in this species follows the typical banded Peckoltia pattern — dark brown base coloration with alternating pale bands or spots across the body and fins — though precise published details of the pattern are limited in the available literature.
Sexual dimorphism is present and follows the Peckoltia norm. Males develop prominent odontodes along the leading rays of the pectoral fins and across the posterior dorsal surface of the body when in breeding condition. Females remain smooth in these areas and develop a noticeably broader-bodied profile behind the pectoral fins when gravid. The interopercular odontodes that males may express are modest compared to some larger loricariids but are visible on conditioned fish.
The genus Peckoltia is characterised within the Hypostominae by its small size, the absence of the deep body flattening seen in Loricariinae, relatively large eyes, and a pattern of plates and scutes that includes features distinguishing it from the closely related Ancistrus and Hypancistrus.
Habitat
Peckoltia lineola is known from the Río Ventuari in Amazonas State, Venezuela, and from the Río Iniridá in Colombia — both draining into the Orinoco system. The Ventuari is a large blackwater and clearwater river flowing through one of South America's most biologically intact but increasingly threatened regions, Parque Nacional Yapacana and surrounding lowland forest.
Field collections place this species in rocky riffles — areas of fast-flowing, well-oxygenated water over bedrock and boulder substrate (FishBase, Ref. 77026). This microhabitat type is characteristic of a number of rheophilic loricariids. The Ventuari in the region of the lower and middle river, where this species has been recorded, runs as a blackwater system with low conductivity, low pH, and extreme softness — conditions typical of Guiana Shield drainages. Despite multiple collecting expeditions to the Ventuari, specimens have been taken at only two localities, and no individuals were found in the middle Ventuari, which the IUCN assessors interpret as evidence of genuine rarity rather than sampling gaps.
The Colombian Iniridá records are treated as anecdotal only by the IUCN and are not confirmed from verified voucher specimens.
Feeding
Like other members of the genus, Peckoltia lineola is an omnivorous rasper, feeding primarily on aufwuchs — the complex of algae, diatoms, bacterial biofilm, and associated invertebrates coating submerged rock surfaces in fast-flowing streams. Rocky riffle habitats typically support a productive epilithic biofilm, and Peckoltia species exploit this resource using the inferior mouth and fine multi-cusped teeth characteristic of the Hypostominae.
Members of the broader Peckoltia/Ancistrini group also ingest small invertebrates encountered on and around the substrate — aquatic insect larvae, small crustaceans, and similar items. True wood-eating (xylography) as seen in Panaqolus and Panaque is not characteristic of Peckoltia.
In captivity, a varied diet is appropriate: high-quality sinking algae wafers, spirulina-based pellets, and blanched vegetables (courgette, cucumber, peas) form the dietary staple. Small amounts of frozen or live invertebrate foods — bloodworm, Mysis, daphnia — provide protein and encourage conditioning for breeding. The species is noted as compatible with small fish and shrimp, suggesting it does not prey on animals of that size.
Mating
Mating behaviour in P. lineola follows the Peckoltia pattern documented for the genus. Males become territorial around suitable cave or crevice sites and display toward conspecifics. The elongated pectoral and posterior odontodes that develop in males are used in assessment and contest contexts: males that are unwilling to concede a cave site may lock pectoral spines with rivals, with the contest typically resolved without serious injury.
Females entering the territory of a receptive male are assessed; the male may actively court the female or may confine or trap her briefly within the cave site to induce spawning — this trapping behaviour has been described for the genus in captive observations and is one reason tight cave dimensions relative to the fish's size are considered important in breeding setups.
The PlanetCatfish database records three confirmed breeding reports for P. lineola, indicating that captive reproduction is achievable, though not routine given the species' rarity in the hobby.
Breeding
Peckoltia lineola is a cave spawner, with three confirmed captive breeding reports documented. The male selects and defends a tight cavity — typically a cave constructed from rock piles, a ceramic breeding tube, or a tight hollow — and induces the female to deposit eggs within it. After spawning, the male remains in or at the cave entrance, fanning the clutch to maintain oxygenation and removing infertile eggs.
Breeding details specific to this species beyond the cave-spawning mode are not well-documented in accessible sources. General Peckoltia breeding principles apply: conditioning with a varied diet, clean and well-oxygenated water, and the provision of appropriate cave sizes (inner diameter matched to the fish's body width) are the primary requirements. A slight temperature drop followed by a return to normal, mimicking seasonal cues from the Orinoco drainage, may help trigger spawning in species where spontaneous breeding is infrequent.
Given the species' Vulnerable conservation status and very limited wild populations, tank-raised specimens should be prioritised whenever available. Captive lineages represent genuine conservation value for this fish.
In the aquarium
Peckoltia lineola is a small pleco — maximum 4 in SL — that is genuinely manageable for aquaria without extreme space requirements. An aquarium of 20–30 US gal is appropriate for a pair or small group, provided ample rockwork and cave structures are available. Rock piles and wood tangles that create multiple hiding opportunities are the preferred furniture; plants are not required and need not be a priority in the setup.
Water parameters should reflect the blackwater/clearwater Orinoco tributary origin: temperature 73–79 °F, soft to very soft water, and slightly acidic pH are ideal. The species is noted as a facultative air-breather at the genus level (FishBase, Ref. 126274), meaning it can supplement gill respiration by gulping atmospheric air — this adaptation may increase tolerance of temporarily reduced dissolved oxygen, but consistent water quality should not be neglected.
P. lineola is reported as compatible with small fish and shrimp, making it a candidate for community aquaria with similarly sized, peaceful species. Intraspecific male-male competition should be managed by ensuring sufficient cave territories if more than one male is kept. The three documented breeding reports confirm the species can settle and reproduce in captivity, which is relevant given the conservation pressure on wild populations.
This species is rarely available in the trade, and hobbyists acquiring it should seek verified tank-raised stock. Its rarity means prices are typically high and availability unpredictable.
Conservation
Peckoltia lineola is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v), with the most recent assessment published in 2023 (assessed 21 August 2020) by Armbruster, J.W., reviewed by Provenzano-Rizzi, F. This is one of the more serious conservation ratings carried by any L-number pleco, and it is well-substantiated by the available evidence.
The species has a small extent of occurrence (EOO = 6,65 mi²) and area of occupancy (AOO = 1,239 mi²), with confirmed presence at only two localities in the lower and middle Ventuari River. Despite multiple scientific expeditions to the area, few individuals have been collected, and the absence of records from the middle Ventuari is interpreted as evidence of genuine rarity. Both the quality of habitat (AOO criterion iii) and population size (criterion v) are inferred to be in continuing decline.
The primary threat is illegal mining — gold, coltan, diamond, and bauxite extraction — in Amazonas State, Venezuela. Mining operations release mercury into river systems and generate increased turbidity, fundamentally degrading the rocky riffle habitat on which P. lineola depends. These activities are occurring inside and adjacent to Parque Nacional Yapacana, which nominally protects part of the lower Ventuari range. Venezuela's enforcement capacity within this remote protected area is limited.
High demand in the aquarium trade adds pressure: the species is described by the IUCN assessment as highly desired by hobbyists, and wild collection for the trade continues in a species with already tiny populations. The species is not listed under CITES. Aquarists who keep P. lineola have a concrete reason to seek tank-raised specimens and to support captive propagation efforts.