HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosDekeyseria pulchra Dekeyseria pulchra Scientific name: Dekeyseria pulchra Steindachner, 1915 Dekeyseria pulchra is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows to about 10 cm (3.9 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: South America, Upper Negro and Orinoco rivers and Canal Casiquiare basin. Dekeyseria pulchra care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size10 cm (3.9 in)Minimum tank115 L (30 US gal)Temperature24–28°C (75–82°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness5–19 dGH (89–339 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods. Species factsScientific nameDekeyseria pulchraFamilyLoricariidae (Armored catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length10.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19 demersalClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Upper Negro and Orinoco rivers and Canal Casiquiare basin.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest More catfish & plecosDekeyseria brachyuraHypostomus cochliodonAncistrus temminckiiOtocinclus vestitusChocolate-colored catfishRineloricaria lanceolataAcanthicus adonisSee all catfish & plecos SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026