Snowball Pleco

Those crisp white spots aren't a lack of pigment — they come from leucophores, a distinct type of pigment cell packed with light-reflecting platelets that actively produces white coloration rather than simply leaving a gap in the pattern. It's one more layer to the surprisingly complex toolkit fish skin uses to generate color and pattern beyond simple melanin.

Care level: Moderate · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~5" · Min tank: 30 gal · Diet: Omnivore, algae wafers + occasional protein