Hypostomus punctatus
Encyclopedia
The Suckermouthed Catfish (Hypostomus punctatus) is a tropical fish
known as a Plecostomus
belonging to the armored suckermouth catfish family
(Loricariidae
). Hypostomus punctatus is a freshwater fish native to South America, in the coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil. It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the Common Pleco by aquarists.
, armor plates, strong dorsal and pectoral fin spines, and the omega iris. These fish grow to about 30 centimetres (12 in).
Hypostomus punctatus is difficult to distinguish from closely related species, such as Hypostomus plecostomus
. Identification is relatively difficult as there are many different similar species labelled as Common Pleco. This species has a light brown coloration with a pattern of darker brown spots (the last part of its scientific name, punctatus, means "spotted"). Because of this, the species may also be known as the Spotted Hypostomus. There is no striping pattern. Also, they are lighter than H. plecostomus.
range is 5–8, and dH
range 0.5–25. The Suckermouthed catfish is mainly herbivorous and feeds on algae
, detritus
as well as plants and roots.
The Suckermouthed catfish has not been reported to spawn and breed in aquarium; it is thought to spawn in mud burrows dug into the side of riverbanks in its natural habitat.
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
known as a Plecostomus
Plecostomus
Hypostomus plecostomus is the scientific name for a type of freshwater tropical Central and South American fish belonging to the family Loricariidae. They are large algae eaters, and to differentiate them from small algae eaters, they are often referred to as plecostomus, often abbreviated as...
belonging to the armored suckermouth catfish family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
(Loricariidae
Loricariidae
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish , with almost 700 species and new species being described each year. Loricariids originate from fresh water habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and...
). Hypostomus punctatus is a freshwater fish native to South America, in the coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil. It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the Common Pleco by aquarists.
Appearance and anatomy
Suckermouthed catfish is a species of Loricariidae. Like other members of this family, it has a suckermouthSuckermouth
In fishes, a suckermouth is a ventrally-oriented mouth adapted for grazing on algae and small organisms that grow on submerged objects....
, armor plates, strong dorsal and pectoral fin spines, and the omega iris. These fish grow to about 30 centimetres (12 in).
Hypostomus punctatus is difficult to distinguish from closely related species, such as Hypostomus plecostomus
Hypostomus plecostomus
Hypostomus plecostomus, the suckermouth catfish or common pleco, is a tropical fish belonging to the armored catfish family , named for the armor-like longitudinal rows of scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body...
. Identification is relatively difficult as there are many different similar species labelled as Common Pleco. This species has a light brown coloration with a pattern of darker brown spots (the last part of its scientific name, punctatus, means "spotted"). Because of this, the species may also be known as the Spotted Hypostomus. There is no striping pattern. Also, they are lighter than H. plecostomus.
Habitat and ecology
It is found in the wild in fast-flowing rivers as well as in flooded areas. This stream-dweller's preferred water temperature is 22–28°C, pHPH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...
range is 5–8, and dH
Hard water
Hard water is water that has high mineral content . Hard water has high concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. Hard water is generally not harmful to one's health but can pose serious problems in industrial settings, where water hardness is monitored to avoid costly breakdowns in boilers, cooling...
range 0.5–25. The Suckermouthed catfish is mainly herbivorous and feeds on algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
, detritus
Detritus
Detritus is a biological term used to describe dead or waste organic material.Detritus may also refer to:* Detritus , a geological term used to describe the particles of rock produced by weathering...
as well as plants and roots.
In the aquarium
The Suckermouthed catfish is a pretty hardy fish. In the aquarium, it is suitable for an appropriately sized community tank, being peaceful to most other fish. However, large individuals of this fish are territorial and may be somewhat aggressive to its own kind.The Suckermouthed catfish has not been reported to spawn and breed in aquarium; it is thought to spawn in mud burrows dug into the side of riverbanks in its natural habitat.