Hypostomus punctatus

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Suckermouthed Catfish

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Loricariidae
Genus:	Hypostomus
Species:	H. punctatus

Binomial name

Hypostomus punctatus
(Valenciennes, 1840)

The Suckermouthed Catfish (Hypostomus punctatus) is a tropical fish known as a Plecostomus belonging to the Armored Catfish family (Loricariidae). It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the Common Pleco by aquarists. 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. However, as with many of the Plecostomus, identification is relatively difficult as there are many different similar species labelled as Common Pleco.

Hypostomus punctatus is a freshwater fish native to South America, in the coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil. 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, pH 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. It may grow to 30.0 cm in length. 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.

The Suckermouthed catfish can live up to 10 years in captivity.