The
suckermouth catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostomus plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish is a
Distribution
and habitat
In
the aquarium
Common
names
Taxonomy
and evolution
Distribution
and habitat
Physiology
and genetics
Ecology
In
the aquarium
Liposarcus
(sailfin pleco) species:
Liposarcus
multiradiatus = the sailfin pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish has a large dorsal fin, and Wholesale Tropical Fish grows over 50 cm.
Telling
pleco genuses apart:
Plecostomus
behavior and size:
Plecostomus
aggression to other fish:
Pleco
to pleco aggression:
Quick
Information
Liposarcus
multiradiatus = the sailfin pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish has a large dorsal fin, and Wholesale Tropical Fish grows over 50 cm.
Liposarcus
anisitsi = the snow king sailfin pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish grows over 42 cm.
Telling
pleco genuses apart:
Plecostomus
behavior and size:
Setup
and Water Preferences
Food:
Water
preferences:
Pleco
air gulping:
Plecos
out of water:
Sexing
Breeding
peppermint
plecostomus
Zebra
Plecostomus
Plecostomus
Introduction:
Description:
Behavior:
Requirements:
Feeding:
Precautions:
The suckermouth catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostomus plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish is a
tropical fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae), and Wholesale Tropical Fish named for the armor-like longitudinal rows of scutes that
cover the upper parts of the head and body (the lower surface of head and
abdomen is naked). Although the name Hypostomus plecostomus is often used to
refer to Common plecs sold in aquarium shops, and Wholesale Tropical Fish most are actually members of
other genera.
Contents hide
1 Distribution and habitat
2 In the aquarium
3 See also
4 References
This species' native range is tropical Central America and South
America; it naturally occurs on the Pacific slope of Costa
Rica and both slopes of Panama, and Wholesale Tropical Fish southward to Uruguay.
Suckermouth catfishes occur in the wild in fresh running waters and brackish
waters of river mouths.
Due to the adult size of these catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish most successful
breedings have occurred in ponds with steep clay or mud banks. They dig tunnels
close to the water level and the males guard the eggs until they hatch.
In some places in the Southern US (Florida
and Texas), and Wholesale Tropical Fish this species has been introduced from its native range, and Wholesale Tropical Fish probably dumped by
aquarists into the local waters. They have been also been introduced to several
Asian countries as well. Suckermouth catfish are often cultured in ponds in Singapore and Hong Kong, and Wholesale Tropical Fish where it is very popular for the aquarium trade.
Suckermouth catfish are of little or no value as a food
fish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish although they are at least occasionally consumed over their native range.
However, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they are of great value in the aquarium trade in the United States.
Hypostomus plecostomus is one of a number of species
commonly referred to as "Plecostomus" or "Common Pleco" by
aquarists. In the Philippines, and Wholesale Tropical Fish in the aquarium trade, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it is called the janitor fish. The suckermouth catfish
is named for its sucker-like mouth, and Wholesale Tropical Fish which allows it to adhere to a surface, and Wholesale Tropical Fish as
well as to hold and rasp at food. These fish are sold when they are young and
small but they can grow to be a maximum size of over a foot to around 50 cm or
so.
In the aquarium, and Wholesale Tropical Fish this dark colored bottom-feeding nocturnal
catfish is often purchased for its ability to clean algae from fish tanks.
Being nocturnal, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they usually avoid light and like to hide in dark places, and Wholesale Tropical Fish coming out to feed at night. However, and Wholesale Tropical Fish in aquaria, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they can easily learn to be
active in the daytime. They are hardy fish and can tolerate a range of
conditions. In their natural habitat, and Wholesale Tropical Fish this species feeds on algae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish aquatic
weeds and other plant matter and small crustaceans.
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish (Order
Siluriformes), and Wholesale Tropical Fish with almost 700 species and new species being described each
year. Loricariids originate from fresh water habitats of Costa Rica, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Panama, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and South America. These fish are noted for
the covering of bony plates covering their bodies and a suckermouth. Several
genera are sold as plecos, and Wholesale Tropical Fish notably the suckermouth catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostomus
plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and are popular as aquarium fish.
Contents hide
1 Common names
1.1 L-numbers
2 Taxonomy and evolution
3 Distribution and habitat
4 Physiology and genetics
5 Ecology
6 In the aquarium
7 References
8 External Links
Hypostomus plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the original plecostomus.Members of
the family Loricariidae are commonly referred to as suckermouth armoured
catfishes, and Wholesale Tropical Fish armoured catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish 'plecos' or simply 'plecs'; a shortened form of
the species name plecostomus.2
These names are used practically interchangeably when
referring to the Loricariidae. The name "Plecostomus" and its
shortened forms have become synonymous with the Loricariidae in general, and Wholesale Tropical Fish since
Plecostomus plecostomus (now called Hypostomus plecostomus) was one of the
first species imported into the fishkeeping hobby. This can cause some
confusion as some unrelated fish may also be called plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish such as the
"Borneo Plecostomus", and Wholesale Tropical Fish which are actually balitorid fishes.3
In their native range, and Wholesale Tropical Fish these fish are known as cascudos or
acarís.4
L-numbers
Main article: L-number
Some types of loricariids are often referred to by their
'L-number'; this has been become common since imports of loricariid catfish
from South America often included specimens
that had not been taxonomically described. Currently L-numbers are used not
only by fishkeeping enthusiasts but by biologists since they represent a useful
stopgap until a new species of fish is given a full taxonomic name.5 It should
be noted that two different L-numbered catfish have turned out to be different
populations of the same species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and that a stock of identically L-numbered
catfish might contain more than one species also.
Because of their highly specialized morphology, and Wholesale Tropical Fish loricariids
have been recognized as a monophyletic assemblage in even the earliest
classifications of the Siluriformes, and Wholesale Tropical Fish meaning that it consists of a natural
grouping with a common ancestor and all of its descendents.6 Loricariidae is
one of seven families in the superfamily Loricarioidea, and Wholesale Tropical Fish along with Amphiliidae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Trichomycteridae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Nematogenyidae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Callichthyidae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Scoloplacidae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and
Astroblepidae. Some of these families also exhibit suckermouths or armor, and Wholesale Tropical Fish although
never together as in Loricariids.2
This is the largest catfish family, and Wholesale Tropical Fish including about 684
species in around 92 genera, and Wholesale Tropical Fish with new species being described each year.2
However, and Wholesale Tropical Fish this family is in flux and revisions are likely.2 For example, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the
subfamily Ancistrinae is accepted in as late as the 2006 edition of Nelson's
Fishes of the World; it later becomes grouped as a tribe because of its
recognition as a sister group to the Pterygoplichthyini.274 Under Ambruster, and Wholesale Tropical Fish six subfamilies are recognized: Delturinae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypoptopomatinae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostominae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Lithogeneinae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Loricariinae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Neoplecostominae.78
Monophyly for the family is strongly supported, and Wholesale Tropical Fish except, and Wholesale Tropical Fish possibly, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the inclusion of Lithogenes.9 Lithogenes is the only genus within the
subfamily Lithogeneinae. This genus and subfamily, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the most basal group in
Loricariidae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish is the sister group to the rest of the family.10 Neoplecostominae
is the most basal group among the loricariids with the exception of
Lithogeneinae.11 However, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the genera of Neoplecostominae do not appear to form
a monophyletic assemblage.12 The two subfamilies Loricariinae and
Hypoptopomatinae appear to be generally regarded as monophyletic. However, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the
monophyly and composition of the other subfamilies are currently being examined
and will likely be altered substantially in the future.9 Hypostominae is the
largest subfamily of Loricariidae. It is made up of five tribes. Four of the
five tribes, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Corymbophanini, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostomini, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Pterygoplichthyini, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Rhinelepini, and Wholesale Tropical Fish include about 24 genera. The fifth and largest tribe, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Ancistrini (formerly
recognized as its own subfamily), and Wholesale Tropical Fish includes 30 genera.13
The fossil record of Loricariidae extends back to the upper
Miocene.1 Within the superfamily Loricarioidea, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Loricariidae is the most derived;
in this superfamily, and Wholesale Tropical Fish there is a trend toward increasingly complex jaw
morphology, and Wholesale Tropical Fish which may have allowed for the great diversification of the
Loricariidae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish which have the most advanced jaws.14
The family Loricariidae is vastly distributed over both
sides of the Andes; on the other hand, and Wholesale Tropical Fish most species are generally restricted to
small geographic ranges.15 Loricariids are found in fresh water habitats of Costa Rica, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Panama, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and South America. Species occur in
swift-flowing streams from the lowlands up to 3,000 metres in elevation.2 They can also be found in a variety of other freshwater
environments.3 They can be found in torrential mountain rivers, and Wholesale Tropical Fish quiet brackish
estuaries, and Wholesale Tropical Fish black acidic waters, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and even in subterranean habitats.6
Hypostomus plecostomus attached to the glass of an aquarium
through use of its ventral suckermouth.This family has extremely variable color
patterns and body shapes.6 Loricariids are characterized by bony plates
covering their body, and Wholesale Tropical Fish similar to the bony plates in callichthyids (In Latin, and Wholesale Tropical Fish lorica means corselet).16 These fish exhibit a ventral suckermouth with
papillae (small projections) on the lips. The adipose is, and Wholesale Tropical Fish when present, and Wholesale Tropical Fish usually
with a spine at the anterior border.2 These fish have, and Wholesale Tropical Fish when they are present, and Wholesale Tropical Fish a
unique pair of maxillary barbels.26 These fish have relatively long intestines
due to their usually herbivorous or detrivorous lifestyle.2 The body is
characteristically depressed in this family.6 Taste buds cover almost the
entire surface of the body and fin spines.17 The length can range from 30
millimetres (1.2 in) in some Otocinclus to over 1 m (39 in) in Panaque, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Acanthicus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Pterygoplichthys.15
One of the most obvious characteristics of the loricariids
is the suckermouth. The modified mouth and lips allow the fish to feed, and Wholesale Tropical Fish breathe, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and attach to the substrate through suction. It was once believed that
lips could not function as a sucker while respiration continued as the
inflowing water would cause the system to fail; however, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it has been
demonstrated that respiration and suction can function simultaneously.
Inflowing water passing under the sucker is limited to a thin stream
immediately behind each maxillary barbel; the maxillae in loricariids support
only small maxillary barbels and is primarily used to mediate the lateral lip
tissue in which they are embedded, and Wholesale Tropical Fish preventing failure of suction during
inspiration. To achieve suction, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the lips are pressed against the substrate and
the oral cavity is expanding, and Wholesale Tropical Fish causing negative pressure.18 Also, and Wholesale Tropical Fish unlike in most
catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the premaxillae are highly mobile, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and the lower jaws have evolved
towards a medial position with the teeth pointed rostroventrally; this lays new
possibilities and are important evolutionary innovations.14 Rotational
movements of the lower and upper jaws result in scraping the substrate. The
lower jaws are most mobile.18
Loricariid catfishes have evolved several different
modifications of the digestive tract that function as accessory respiratory organs
or hydrostatic organs. These complex structures would have been independently
evolved a number of times. This includes an enlarged stomach in the
Pterygoplichthyini, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Lithoxus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish a U-shaped diverticulum in
Rhinelepini, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and a ringlike diverticulum in Otocinclus. However, and Wholesale Tropical Fish even
loricariids with an unmodified stomach have a slight ability to breathe air.19
Considerable sexual dimorphism occurs in this family, and Wholesale Tropical Fish most
pronounced during the breeding season. For example, and Wholesale Tropical Fish in Loricariichthys, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the male
has a large expansion of its lower lip, and Wholesale Tropical Fish which the male uses to hold a clutch of
eggs.17 Ancistrus males have snouts with fleshy tentacles.17 In loricariids, and Wholesale Tropical Fish odontodes develop almost anywhere on the external surface of the body and first
appear soon after hatching; odontodes appear in a variety of shapes and sizes
and are often sexually dimorphic, and Wholesale Tropical Fish being larger in breeding males.17 In most
Ancistrini species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish sharp evertible cheek spines (elongated odontodes) are
often more developed in males and are used in intraspecific displays and
combat.17
The omega iris allows Loricariids to adjust the amount of
light that enters their eye.Unusually for bony fish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish many species have a modified iris called an omega iris. The top part of the
iris descends to form a loop which can expand and contract called an iris
operculum; when light levels are high, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the pupil reduces in diameter and the
loop expands to cover the center of the pupil giving rise to a crescent shaped
light transmitting portion.20 This feature gets its name from its similarity to
the symbol for the Greek letter omega (Ω), and Wholesale Tropical Fish as the loop of the iris
resembles the loop above horizontal bars in the capitalised letter. In the
usual orientation of the fish the letter would appear to be upside down. The origins
of this structure are unknown, and Wholesale Tropical Fish but it has been suggested that breaking up the
outline of the highly visible eye aids camouflage in what are often highly
mottled animals.20 Species in the tribe Rhinelepini are an exception among
loricariids, and Wholesale Tropical Fish having a normal, and Wholesale Tropical Fish circular iris.21 The presence or absence of the
iris operculum can also be used for identification of species in the subfamily
Loricariinae.6
As of 2000, and Wholesale Tropical Fish only 56 loricariid species have been
cytogenically investigated.4 It has been shown that 2n = 54 is the basal
diploid number of chromosomes this family.22 There is a wide variation in the
chromosome number in this fish group, and Wholesale Tropical Fish ranging from 2n = 36 in the Loricariinae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Rineloricaria latirostris, and Wholesale Tropical Fish to 2n = 96 in a species of Upsilodus
(Hemipsilichthys).22 Most members of the Ancistrini and Pterygoplichthyini have
52 chromosomes.4 Karyotypic evolution by means of centric fusions and centric
fissions seems to be a common feature among loricariids; this is demonstrated
by a higher number of biarmed chromosomes in species with lower diploid number
and many uniarmed chromosomes in species with higher diploid numbers.23 Studies
conducted with representatives of some genera of Hypostominae showed that
within this group, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the diploid number ranges from 2n = 52 to 2n = 80. However, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the supposed wide karyotypic diversity that the family Loricariidae or the
subfamily Hypostominae would present is almost exclusively restricted to the
genus Hypostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and the species from the other genera had a conserved diploid
number.11 It has been found in some species that there is a ZZ/ZW
sex-determination system.234
A Panaque nigrolineatus attached to a piece of wood.The
suckermouth exhibited by these catfish allow them to adhere to objects in their
habitats, and Wholesale Tropical Fish even in fast-flowing waters.6 The mouth and teeth also are adapted to
feed on a variety of foods such as algae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish invertebrates, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and detritus.6 Some
species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish notably the Panaque, and Wholesale Tropical Fish are known for xylophagy, and Wholesale Tropical Fish or the ability to digest
wood.24
Most species of Loricariids are nocturnal animals. Some
species are territorial, and Wholesale Tropical Fish while others, and Wholesale Tropical Fish such as Otocinclus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish prefer to live in
groups.3
Air-breathing is well known among many loricariids. The
ability to breathe air is dependent on the risk of hypoxia faced by a species; torrent-dwelling
species tend to have no ability to breathe air, and Wholesale Tropical Fish while low-land, and Wholesale Tropical Fish pool-dwelling
species such as those of Hypostomus have a great ability to breathe air.19
Pterygoplichthys are known for being kept out of water and sold alive in fish
markets, and Wholesale Tropical Fish surviving up to 30 hours out of water.19 Loricariids are facultative
air breathers; they will only breathe air if under stress and will only use
their gills in situations when oxygen levels are high. The dry season is a
likely time for this; there would be little food in the stomach, and Wholesale Tropical Fish which would
allow its use for air breathing.19
Loricariids exhibit a wide range of reproductive strategies, and Wholesale Tropical Fish including cavity spawning, and Wholesale Tropical Fish attachment of eggs on the underside of rocks, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and
egg-carrying.17 Parental care is usually well-developed and the male guards the
eggs and sometimes the larvae.17 The eggs usually will
hatch between 4 and 20 days, and Wholesale Tropical Fish depending on the species.3
Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish often sold as a common
pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish is an aquarium fish often purchased as an algae eater.Loricariids are
popular aquarium fish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish where they are often sold as "plecos" or
"plecostomus".2 These fish are often purchased because of their
algae-eating habits, and Wholesale Tropical Fish though this role may not be carried out.3 Most species are
in fact detritivores. A great many species of Loricariids are also sold for
their ornamental qualities, and Wholesale Tropical Fish representing many body shapes and colors.
Most species of Loricariids are nocturnal and will shy away
from bright light, and Wholesale Tropical Fish appreciating some sort of cover to hide under throughout the
day. As they often originate from habitats with fast-moving water, and Wholesale Tropical Fish filtration
should be vigorous.3
A number of species of Loricariids have been bred in
captivity.3
Common name: Common plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish suckermouth catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish algae
eater (also used for other unrelated species of fish), and Wholesale Tropical Fish pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish pl*co (the internet superstition is that if you spell pleco
out, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the plecostomus will die), and Wholesale Tropical Fish plec (in the UK), and Wholesale Tropical Fish sailfin pleco (just for
Liposarcus' and Gibbiceps')
Scientific/Latin name: Liposarcus pardalis (formerly
Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus); other common and similar species include
Liposarcus multiradiatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostomus punctatus (formerly Hypostomus
plecostomus), and Wholesale Tropical Fish Liposarcus anisitsi (more gray in color, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the snow king pleco), and Wholesale Tropical Fish and other Hypostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Pterygoplichthys, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Liposarcus
Maximum length: 1 to 2 feet (specifically 16 to 20 inches
for Liposarcus species)
Colors: Brown, and Wholesale Tropical Fish black, and Wholesale Tropical Fish mottled.
Temperature preference: 68 to 82 degrees
pH preference: 6 to 7.5
Hardness preference: Soft
Salinity preference: Low
Compatibility: Good with small fish; may suck on goldfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish discus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and other large, and Wholesale Tropical Fish flat-bodied fish; devours plants; will eat dead fish
Life span: Unknown, and Wholesale Tropical Fish maybe 10-30 years (Steve told me on
12/1/04 that he has a 14-year-old and a 20-year-old pleco)
Ease of keeping: Moderate
Ease of breeding: Difficult
Description
Species and telling plecostomus species apart:
Hypostomus punctatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish or Hypostomus plecostomus as it was known
for so long, and Wholesale Tropical Fish is a suckermouth catfish with patterned brown skin. So is
Liposarcus pardalis but since it is not in most fish atlas', and Wholesale Tropical Fish I did not know
that I did not have a Hypostomus until an expert saw the above photo. The
"expert" said I had L. multiradiatus which is in the first Baensch
atlas as Pterygophlichthys multiradiatus. The photo shows a yellowish fish that
does not look like my fish. A catfish expert says that they can change color
and because my pleco was not expensive, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it must be a L. multiradiatus. I was
not so sure. Another person contacted me saying I had a L. pardalis. The expert
at Planet Catfish agreed. Yet another person wrote in my guestbook that they
swear I have a Glyptoperichthys or Liposarcus scrophus. I looked at the photos
at Planet Catfish though and the photos look absolutely nothing like Plecy. Do
any other experts want to tell me which species they think I have?
From what I have gathered, and Wholesale Tropical Fish there are three commonly found
species of Liposarcus which may have gone by the genus Pterygophlichthys in the
past or even now. Here they are:
Liposarcus pardalis = one of the "common" plecos
or the leopard sailfin pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish this is the one I now think I have although the
Baensch photo shows orange-tipped fins which Plecy does not have, and Wholesale Tropical Fish grows over 40
cm.
Liposarcus anisitsi = the snow king sailfin pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish grows
over 42 cm.
One person experienced with plecos says that the best way to
tell Liposarcus multiradiatus from Liposarcus anisitsi is that the Liposarcus
multiradiatus has a circle-like pattern on its belly while Liposarcus anisitsi
has lines. Otherwise, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the two species may look the same since plecos are so
prone to color variations and changing color to suit their substrate and mood.
The snow king pleco not only occurs as the more white individuals but also ones
that look like regular common plecos as well. So, and Wholesale Tropical Fish I think most pleco owners
really do not know for sure which species they have if they have a
"common" pleco! Even experts do not always agree.
Pleco species can be told apart by the number of rays in the
dorsal (back) fin. Hypostomus have 8 or 9; Liposarcus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Pterygoplichthys, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Glyptogolipthychs
have more than 10 (usually 12 or 13); and Cochliodons have 10. My pleco seems
to have 12 rays (he will not sit still!). (I verified the 12 rays in November
of 2004 as he sat still and again on 1/14/07.) It is easy to tell the fancy
plecos (bristlenose, and Wholesale Tropical Fish snow balls, and Wholesale Tropical Fish gold nuggets, and Wholesale Tropical Fish mangos, and Wholesale Tropical Fish zebras, and Wholesale Tropical Fish clowns, and Wholesale Tropical Fish etc.)
apart from the common plecostomus due to different patterns and colors and high
prices. There are also plecos with different body shapes and features like the
bristlenose plecos.
For more information on the species of plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish visit
the pleco fact file.
Plecos patterns change with the background and their mood.
The common plecostomus or pleco is sold in large numbers. Hereafter, and Wholesale Tropical Fish references
to pleco are specifically referring to the common pleco species (Hypostomus
plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Liposarcus pardalis, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Liposarcus multiradiatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish etc.) and not
necessarily other species. The pleco should not be sold with so little thought
to unsuspecting customers (yes, and Wholesale Tropical Fish I was one about four years ago!). First, and Wholesale Tropical Fish plecostomus grow big, and Wholesale Tropical Fish big, and Wholesale Tropical Fish big!! The little two inch ones that they sell at the
pet stores grow typically to nearly a foot if well cared for. Do not buy one, and Wholesale Tropical Fish intending to keep it forever, and Wholesale Tropical Fish unless you have a tank of at least 50 gallons.
Liposarcus species grow to 16 to 20 inches. Mine is 12.75 inches as of July
2000.
Plecostomus are nocturnal. They feed on mostly plant
material at night. During the day, and Wholesale Tropical Fish their unusual omega iris blocks a lot of the
light out of their eyes. The iris opens at night. Plecos can also wink using an
eye membrane.
Plecos just love to suck on ailing goldfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish discus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and
other fat bodied fish. Avoid adding them together. There is one pet store near
me that has about 20 tanks of fancy goldfish. Every tank has a small
plecostomus and at any time, and Wholesale Tropical Fish half of them are sucking on a goldfish. The
employees apparently believe that any damage overshadows their algae cleaning
abilities (in other words, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they are too lazy to clean off the algae and do not
care about the goldfish). My pleco probably killed the two rosy barbs with him
even though he was 9 inches long and they were only about 1.5 inches long.
Before that he harmed my goldfish. For more on my pleco with goldfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish visit my
goldfish page.
Large common plecostomus (this does not hold for many other
species of pleco) are territorial and will usually not tolerate another large
plecostomus in their tank. This may only be a same-species
phenomena with two plecos of dissimilar species but similar sizes
getting along without incident. Some of the more exotic species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish such as the
interesting bristlenose plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish often get along with their own species at
all sizes. I have never had more than one pleco at the same time in the same
tank. Some aquarists report severe aggression; others say they get along fine.
One person even said they had two plecos who were unhappy if separated. It most
likely depends on species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish size, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and individual temperaments. Fish are
individuals!
This said, and Wholesale Tropical Fish plecostomus are great
and interesting fish. In a large tank with small fish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish nothing can beat them
for algae cleaning capability. There are many other species of plecostomus more
suitable for smaller tanks. Some are relatively inexpensive like the
bristlenose pleco and clown pleco and some command higher prices like the
gorgeous zebra, and Wholesale Tropical Fish scarlet, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and mango plecos. These often smaller other species of
pleco are also often much less damaging to plants. The zebra pleco for example
is much more carnivorous and eats little algae or plants. The bristlenose pleco
is a good algae eater that usually leaves plants alone (see my bristlenose
pleco page. It grows to a moderate length and can breed in captivity. Plecos
can live a dozen years or more. One of my books says that Hypostomus punctatus
(and presumably Liposarcus species) is a "harmless loner." Small fish
may agree but many of my and other people's goldfish and plants would beg to
differ!
This page is specifically about the common plecostomus
species but much of the information also applies to other species of
plecostomus. The main differences between species are size, and Wholesale Tropical Fish color, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and
plant-eating tendency. I have been told that I have the species Liposarcus
pardalis. I used to think I had a Hypostomus until someone saw the following
photo and told me I had Liposarcus multiradiatus. Then, and Wholesale Tropical Fish in October of 2001, and Wholesale Tropical Fish someone said I have Liposarcus pardalis and an expert agreed. No matter which
exact species that I have, and Wholesale Tropical Fish most of the large, and Wholesale Tropical Fish brown-mottled plecostomus have
similar care requirements so the following information is helpful for all of
them.
This is my common plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Liposarcus pardalis, and Wholesale Tropical Fish taken
2/8/02 (at about 12.75 inches long). His name is Plecy. I bought him on
1/28/95. There are more photos below including a nice one the same day of his
underside.
Quick Information
Description - including telling species apart, and Wholesale Tropical Fish behavior, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and
aggression
Setup and Water Preferences - including feeding, and Wholesale Tropical Fish air
gulping, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and plecos out of water
Sexing
Breeding
Links
Photos and My Plecostomus
Plecy versus the Apple Snail
Plecostomus in Ponds - on my pond algae page
For information on algae-eating animals, and Wholesale Tropical Fish check out the
algae-eating animals comparison table which includes some information on other
species of plecostomus as well as lots of other animals.
Common name: Common plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish suckermouth catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish algae
eater (also used for other unrelated species of fish), and Wholesale Tropical Fish pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish pl*co (the internet superstition is that if you spell pleco
out, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the plecostomus will die), and Wholesale Tropical Fish plec (in the UK), and Wholesale Tropical Fish sailfin pleco (just for
Liposarcus' and Gibbiceps')
Scientific/Latin name: Liposarcus pardalis (formerly
Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus); other common and similar species include
Liposarcus multiradiatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Hypostomus punctatus (formerly Hypostomus
plecostomus), and Wholesale Tropical Fish Liposarcus anisitsi (more gray in color, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the snow king pleco), and Wholesale Tropical Fish and other Hypostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Pterygoplichthys, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Liposarcus
Maximum length: 1 to 2 feet (specifically 16 to 20 inches
for Liposarcus species)
Colors: Brown, and Wholesale Tropical Fish black, and Wholesale Tropical Fish mottled.
Temperature preference: 68 to 82 degrees
pH preference: 6 to 7.5
Hardness preference: Soft
Salinity preference: Low
Compatibility: Good with small fish; may suck on goldfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish discus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and other large, and Wholesale Tropical Fish flat-bodied fish; devours plants; will eat dead fish
Life span: Unknown, and Wholesale Tropical Fish maybe 10-30 years (Steve told me on
12/1/04 that he has a 14-year-old and a 20-year-old pleco)
Ease of keeping: Moderate
Ease of breeding: Difficult
Description
Species and telling plecostomus species apart:
Hypostomus punctatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish or Hypostomus plecostomus as it was
known for so long, and Wholesale Tropical Fish is a suckermouth catfish with patterned brown skin. So is
Liposarcus pardalis but since it is not in most fish atlas', and Wholesale Tropical Fish I did not know
that I did not have a Hypostomus until an expert saw the above photo. The
"expert" said I had L. multiradiatus which is in the first Baensch
atlas as Pterygophlichthys multiradiatus. The photo shows a yellowish fish that
does not look like my fish. A catfish expert says that they can change color
and because my pleco was not expensive, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it must be a L. multiradiatus. I was
not so sure. Another person contacted me saying I had a L. pardalis. The expert
at Planet Catfish agreed. Yet another person wrote in my guestbook that they
swear I have a Glyptoperichthys or Liposarcus scrophus. I looked at the photos
at Planet Catfish though and the photos look absolutely nothing like Plecy. Do
any other experts want to tell me which species they think I have?
Liposarcus (sailfin pleco) species:
Liposarcus pardalis = one of the "common" plecos
or the leopard sailfin pleco, and Wholesale Tropical Fish this is the one I now think I have although the
Baensch photo shows orange-tipped fins which Plecy does not have, and Wholesale Tropical Fish grows over 40
cm.
One person experienced with plecos says that the best way to
tell Liposarcus multiradiatus from Liposarcus anisitsi is that the Liposarcus
multiradiatus has a circle-like pattern on its belly while Liposarcus anisitsi
has lines. Otherwise, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the two species may look the same since plecos are so
prone to color variations and changing color to suit their substrate and mood.
The snow king pleco not only occurs as the more white individuals but also ones
that look like regular common plecos as well. So, and Wholesale Tropical Fish I think most pleco owners
really do not know for sure which species they have if they have a
"common" pleco! Even experts do not always agree.
Pleco species can be told apart by the number of rays in the
dorsal (back) fin. Hypostomus have 8 or 9; Liposarcus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Pterygoplichthys, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and
Glyptogolipthychs have more than 10 (usually 12 or 13); and Cochliodons have
10. My pleco seems to have 12 rays (he will not sit still!). (I verified the 12
rays in November of 2004 as he sat still and again on 1/14/07.) It is easy to
tell the fancy plecos (bristlenose, and Wholesale Tropical Fish snow balls, and Wholesale Tropical Fish gold nuggets, and Wholesale Tropical Fish mangos, and Wholesale Tropical Fish zebras, and Wholesale Tropical Fish clowns, and Wholesale Tropical Fish etc.) apart from the common plecostomus due to different patterns and colors
and high prices. There are also plecos with different body shapes and features
like the bristlenose plecos.
For more information on the species of plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish visit
the pleco fact file.
Plecos patterns change with the background and their mood.
The common plecostomus or pleco is sold in large numbers. Hereafter, and Wholesale Tropical Fish references
to pleco are specifically referring to the common pleco species (Hypostomus
plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Liposarcus pardalis, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Liposarcus multiradiatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish etc.) and not
necessarily other species. The pleco should not be sold with so little thought
to unsuspecting customers (yes, and Wholesale Tropical Fish I was one about four years ago!). First, and Wholesale Tropical Fish plecostomus grow big, and Wholesale Tropical Fish big, and Wholesale Tropical Fish big!! The little two inch ones that they sell at the
pet stores grow typically to nearly a foot if well cared for. Do not buy one, and Wholesale Tropical Fish intending to keep it forever, and Wholesale Tropical Fish unless you have a tank of at least 50 gallons.
Liposarcus species grow to 16 to 20 inches. Mine is 12.75 inches as of July
2000.
Plecostomus are nocturnal. They feed on mostly plant
material at night. During the day, and Wholesale Tropical Fish their unusual omega iris blocks a lot of the
light out of their eyes. The iris opens at night. Plecos can also wink using an
eye membrane.
Plecostomus aggression to other fish:
Plecos just love to suck on ailing goldfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish discus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and
other fat bodied fish. Avoid adding them together. There is one pet store near
me that has about 20 tanks of fancy goldfish. Every tank has a small
plecostomus and at any time, and Wholesale Tropical Fish half of them are sucking on a goldfish. The
employees apparently believe that any damage overshadows their algae cleaning
abilities (in other words, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they are too lazy to clean off the algae and do not
care about the goldfish). My pleco probably killed the two rosy barbs with him
even though he was 9 inches long and they were only about 1.5 inches long.
Before that he harmed my goldfish. For more on my pleco with goldfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish visit my
goldfish page.
Pleco to pleco aggression:
Large common plecostomus (this does not hold for many other
species of pleco) are territorial and will usually not tolerate another large
plecostomus in their tank. This may only be a same-species
phenomena with two plecos of dissimilar species but similar sizes
getting along without incident. Some of the more exotic species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish such as the
interesting bristlenose plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish often get along with their own species at
all sizes. I have never had more than one pleco at the same time in the same
tank. Some aquarists report severe aggression; others say they get along fine.
One person even said they had two plecos who were unhappy if separated. It most
likely depends on species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish size, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and individual temperaments. Fish are
individuals!
This said, and Wholesale Tropical Fish plecostomus are great
and interesting fish. In a large tank with small fish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish nothing can beat them
for algae cleaning capability. There are many other species of plecostomus more
suitable for smaller tanks. Some are relatively inexpensive like the
bristlenose pleco and clown pleco and some command higher prices like the
gorgeous zebra, and Wholesale Tropical Fish scarlet, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and mango plecos. These often smaller other species of
pleco are also often much less damaging to plants. The zebra pleco for example
is much more carnivorous and eats little algae or plants. The bristlenose pleco
is a good algae eater that usually leaves plants alone (see my bristlenose
pleco page. It grows to a moderate length and can breed in captivity. Plecos
can live a dozen years or more. One of my books says that Hypostomus punctatus
(and presumably Liposarcus species) is a "harmless loner." Small fish
may agree but many of my and other people's goldfish and plants would beg to
differ!
Plecostomus need big tanks as adults. Or they can grow with
your hobby. Every time I got a larger tank, and Wholesale Tropical Fish good ole Plecy moved in it. Adults
need tanks with a minimum volume of 50-100 gallons.
Plecostomus require special food. At dusk, and Wholesale Tropical Fish add those dry
spirulina tablets that say they are made for plecostomus. Mine prefers those
made by Wardley the most. Also, and Wholesale Tropical Fish cut a cucumber in half (I only use about 30% of
its length), and Wholesale Tropical Fish spoon out the seeds (I use a grapefruit spoon), and Wholesale Tropical Fish attach it to
something (they make special vegetable holders), and Wholesale Tropical Fish and place it on the bottom.
They will also eat squash and zucchini in this way. Boiling is not necessary.
Remove the leftovers every morning. Feed as often as necessary, and Wholesale Tropical Fish depending on
their size. Mine is about 12.75 inches (as of July 2000) and gets his cucumber
every 1-3 days, and Wholesale Tropical Fish depending on availability. They are supposed to eat leafy
vegetables like lettuce and kale too but mine does not care for them. Also, and Wholesale Tropical Fish be
sure to include driftwood for them to chew on for roughage. They also like to
camouflage themselves while sucked onto the wood. See this section for how to
treat new driftwood.
Common plecos WILL devour or destroy virtually any plant
that you can think to add to the tank. The only plant that mine left alone was
a large onion plant (Crinum thaianum) and java moss (it must be secured with a
clip to the wall or the pleco will uproot it). A well fed pleco will not eat
all plants but it will uproot them. Give the pleco large pots, and Wholesale Tropical Fish driftwood, and Wholesale Tropical Fish ornaments, and Wholesale Tropical Fish etc. in which to hide during the day while it sleeps. Light the tank
well so that during the night, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it will have some natural algae to eat. Also, and Wholesale Tropical Fish be
sure to provide lots of aeration in their tanks and vacuum up their copious
volumes of feces every week with a 30-50% water change.
Some plecos will turn upside down and suck floating fish
foods off the surface during the day! I have not seen Plecy do this but since
half a dozen people have e-mailed me about this asking if it is normal, and Wholesale Tropical Fish I
thought I would mention it as it is obviously somewhat common. Smaller and
hungrier plecos are more apt to do this.
Here are the four kinds of algae wafers or pleco foods that
I am currently (10/7/04) feeding Plecy. I put in one of them every night. I
have them linked to the item at That Pet Place where I get most of my fish
supplies. I feed OSI Sinking Spirulina Wafers, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Wardley Premium Spirulina Discs, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and Hikari Algae Wafers. I used to feed Tetra PlecoMin too which was smaller in
size but they stopped selling that. In early 2006, and Wholesale Tropical Fish I got the newer Aquarium
Algae Eater Sinking Algae Chips. Funny, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the first three ingredients are fish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish wheat, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and rice!
Stuart sent me the following pleco information tidbit
related to feeding:
"One interesting tidbit I noticed you didn't have up on
your site, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and that is something I've confirmed with several more knowledgeable
people over the years...you can tell how healthy a pleco is by the size of the
indentation above and behind their eyes. According to my information, and Wholesale Tropical Fish this is
where the pleco's body stores unused fat. If the indentation is deep, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they are
not getting enough food. If the indentation is level, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they are getting enough
food, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and if it is bulging, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they are extremely healthy." Thanks Stuart!
Plecy's indentation is level.
Don told me on 6/12/05 and 6/13/05 that his pleco likes
green bananas (partially peel it) and watermelon (cut half an inch above the
rind; his pleco eats the green and red, and Wholesale Tropical Fish leaving the white)!
On 12/31/05, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Don told me that his pleco likes summer squash, and Wholesale Tropical Fish zucchini, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and kiwi! He says, and Wholesale Tropical Fish "Cut it in half and leave the skin on so it
does not fall apart. Then, and Wholesale Tropical Fish in the morning, and Wholesale Tropical Fish there is only the skin. Nothing else." I do not even treat myself to kiwi so I
do not know if I could part with some for Plecy!
On 2/15/07, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Kate shared the following: "I gave my
plecos some spaghetti squash, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and they loved it! Still didn't eat much; I had
to remove a lot of it after 24 hours because it was unfinished. But they did
love it. I just recently tried Kiwi on them because of the suggestion on your page;
they didn't like it. They went over and took a quick taste of the new object in
their tank but they quickly decided Kiwi wasn't for them. My husband's pleco
liked it more then mine; it finished the core of it and left the seeds and
outer part of it alone. I just thought I would tell you to be aware of the kiwi
in the water; it will give you a nice THICK gunk through out your entire tank
and make the water filthy."
They prefer slightly acid, and Wholesale Tropical Fish soft water. Being from fast
moving waters, and Wholesale Tropical Fish common plecostomus like a strong water current and water with a
lot of oxygen (although they can and do gulp atmospheric oxygen too). They do
well from about 68 to 82 degrees F. My plecostomus survived a 42 hour power
outage at about 55 degrees F for most of that time. I had battery air pumps.
Not only did Plecy survive, and Wholesale Tropical Fish but he was looking for food most of that time and
thought night time was all the time!
Many species of plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish including the common varieties
can gulp air to gain better control of their buoyancy. It is not clear but in
oxygen-poor environments, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they may use some of the oxygen. Often, and Wholesale Tropical Fish at dusk, and Wholesale Tropical Fish a
pleco will rush very quickly to the top of the aquarium and gulp air and then
make a splash on its way back into the water. Some plecos are known to be more
forceful while doing this, and Wholesale Tropical Fish creating quite a splash. If there is no lid, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they
may jump out. If there is a lid, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the pleco may bash itself on it. Usually, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the
event is not so violent but some individuals "go crazy" and bash
themselves to death (often there is a water quality problem in those cases). On
their way back down into the aquarium, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the pleco will open its fins and sort of
glide down and often emit some bubbles from its mouth. With the extra air in
their bodies, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the pleco can now go about its nightly sucking ritual in almost
any position. This is all normal behavior and no cause for concern. While
plecos sometimes spend some time on their backs (upside down), and Wholesale Tropical Fish if they are not attached/sucking on something at the time and it continues
for a number of days, and Wholesale Tropical Fish this may indicate a health problem.
In the wild, and Wholesale Tropical Fish some plecos spend dry season above the water
line, and Wholesale Tropical Fish in mud holes in the bank. They make a sort of wet cocoon around
themselves. They can utilize atmospheric oxygen somewhat. For this reason, and Wholesale Tropical Fish plecos can survive out of water much longer than other fish. If a pleco jumps
out of its tank, and Wholesale Tropical Fish put it back in some tank water to see if it recovers, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and it
may as long as it did not dry out totally. Plecos love to jump from tanks
(perhaps they think they will find a bigger and/or better tank if they jump) so
be sure there are no holes in the lid through which a pleco can jump. If they
do jump, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they tend to bounce all over the floor trying to find water. This not
only dries them out sooner, and Wholesale Tropical Fish they tend to collect debris and dirt and physically
injure themselves. If you have a cat, and Wholesale Tropical Fish he/she may also find this great fun.
Anyway, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it is better if your pleco never decides to jump ship.
I once read that the male's chin barbels are more hooked
while the females are smooth. I do not know if this is even true. People who
can sex common plecostomus are few. I do know that plecos will fight with each
other over territories so stick to a single one, and Wholesale Tropical Fish unless you want to breed them
or have a huge tank (200+ gallons). For Hypostomus punctatus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the males are
supposed to be smaller with larger barbels than the females. To determine sex
this way, and Wholesale Tropical Fish you would need many large (a foot or more) plecos to compare.
Common plecostomus have only been bred a few times in
captivity. I read a report of a Hypostomus punctatus breeding in a tank where
the male guarded and fanned dark brown eggs and later guarded fry in tree roots . Some think that is just a myth. Males take up residence
in caves where the female lays her eggs. In the wild, and Wholesale Tropical Fish these spawning caves are
along river banks near the surface. The male sort of hangs out with the eggs
and hatched fry who suck on whatever is around. The
keys to their breeding are HUGE tanks (500-2000 gallons), and Wholesale Tropical Fish a pair of plecostomus
(very hard to tell sex) that get along, and Wholesale Tropical Fish lots of surface algae and vegetables, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and few distractions. Most plecos are raised in ponds in the far
east, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Florida, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and other places. A few plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish like bristlenose plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish have been
bred in aquariums. With this species, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it is also possible to tell male from
female with certainty (the male has more barbels and adornments).
Members of the Loricariidae family of sucker mouth catfish, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Plecostomus, and Wholesale Tropical Fish or Plecos, and Wholesale Tropical Fish are almost exclusively a freshwater fish with a geographic range
from Panama to Uruguay in South America.
With specially adapted mouthparts, and Wholesale Tropical Fish the sucker mouth is able to attach itself to
substrate. This prevents normal breathing, and Wholesale Tropical Fish so these catfish can either briefly
suspend breathing or move oxygen via specially adapted gill systems. Most
Plecos are peaceful and prefer to rest or slowly graze over the aquarium
bottom. They do an excellent job of cleaning unwanted algae from the bottom and
sides of the tank. These unique fish with their anatomical adaptations make
interesting additions to any freshwater community tank. The webmasters large
pleco lives in a tank with 2 aquatic toads quite happily. In some sites you can
see images of the pleco being held in the hand! This is quite normal believe it
or not. An awkward thing to catch (use a very large net) but when in the hand
lies still and the webmasters pleco actually talked to him! A sort of croaking
noise (no, and Wholesale Tropical Fish not gasping!!) emanated from him (or her!). Extremely peaceful but
tends to rip through plants when searching for food, and Wholesale Tropical Fish best kept with floating
plants or weighted plants like elodea. Has an armour plated skin and can grow
quite large. I fed mine on algae tablets and it has a liking for cucumber! One
of the most peaceful fish I have ever had the pleasure to keep in my aquarium, and Wholesale Tropical Fish nothing ruffles them.
Plecos should not have to rely on naturally growing algae
alone as their only diet. As they mature they lose their algae eating tendencies
somewhat and must be fed a basic diet of sinking herbivorous foods. Lettuce or
zucchini strapped to a rock with a rubber band makes a great snack for your
Pleco. Dried algae tablets can also be purchased and make a great daily food.
Plecos will generally leave plants alone providing they get enough vegetable
matter in the diet.
peppermint
plecostomus
The river in which the Zebra Plecs live is earmarked for a
Hydro project and its becoming likely that export of these rare fish may be
banned in the near future. It is intended to have all wild living zebra plecs
to a new location before the Hydro Project takes effect.
The aquarium should be well-stocked with plants and
driftwood. When they're not busy grazing on algae, and Wholesale Tropical Fish Plecos like to rest on
driftwood pieces or in caves. This is not an active fish and thus the aquarium
need not be the usual size for a fish that grows up to 18 inches in length, and Wholesale Tropical Fish though the largest tank possible is appreciated. There have been stories of
Plecos growing to 15" in aquariums as small as 15 gallons. Provide a
strong water current through the use of a powerhead or similar device.
This dark, and Wholesale Tropical Fish suckermouthed scavenger is a useful additon to
almost any aquaria whether it's a cooler tropical tank or a giant cichlid tank.
The Pleco's interminable algae grazing is appreciated
from an aesthetic standpoint.
This fish is usually sold as a three inch brown-colored
bottom dweller. The fish will grow in large facilities to attain a mature
length of fully 24 inches and weigh in at several pounds. The longest
Plecostomus I have seen in real life is 21 inches long. Pleco's are usually
found in retail tanks attached to the sides of the tank trying to be
inconspicuous in bright light. The fish is wide and flat at the anterior head
end and narrows to a large bifurcated tail. The dorsal fin is very large, and Wholesale Tropical Fish almost sail-like. Usually, and Wholesale Tropical Fish however; at rest this fin is clamped to the body.
The body is protected by heavy, and Wholesale Tropical Fish bandlike armour. The downturned mouth is full
of tiny rasping teeth. There is a barbel at each corner of the mouth. The eye
is adapted to a nocturnal existence. It is a dusk feeder.
The fish feeds at dusk and is fiercely territorial. Most
people don't realize this. They may not also realize that the fish can be very
damaging under certain circumstances to slow moving Discus and Goldfish. The
Plecostomus can sometimes be seen orbitting these fish and rasping their sides
with their mouths, and Wholesale Tropical Fish apparently feeding on their slime coats. Damage from this
may be severe as the nocturnal feeder rasps the skin off the diurnal victim. photo pending
The requirements of a Plecostomus are not demanding. A pH
which gravitates towards neutral is acceptable and recommended. They like
warmer water, and Wholesale Tropical Fish and can appreciate water up to 85 deg F.
Cold water, and Wholesale Tropical Fish such as that found outside in ponds in October has ended the life
of many a Plectostomus which had heretofore done well outdoors all Summer.
The fish does well eating nothing but plant material. Some
facilities grow such prodigious amounts of algae that the Plecostomus is
ever-full. In other situations, and Wholesale Tropical Fish it becomes important to "feed" a
plecostomus with strips of Zucchini weighted to the tank bottom. The Zucchini
will be consumed rapidly after dark. There are also some pelleted sinking foods
Shrimp-ellets and Algae-tabs which are well appreciated by the plecostomus.
Plecostomus can rasp the sides of slower moving fishes by
nightfall. Severe damage may result. You may observe this behavior in any size
plecostomus but the most common offender is 3-4 inches.
