Sinking pellets and frozen bloodworm are ideal although all prepared foods that reach the bottom are accepted. This fish will eat most and shares with the wood-eating plecos the unusual habit of eating the skin before the flesh. Well fed fish may even leave the flesh so care should be taken to avoid decay and pollution from uneaten food.
Suitable as a discus or angelfish tank pleco. Also OK with South American cichlids - a good way to brighten up any oscar tank - but might not do well with Central American cichlids due to their slightly lower temperature requirements. Perfect with rainbow fish if you don't mind breaking the biotope mould.