| Suckermouth catfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariidae |
| Genus: | Hypostomus |
| Species: | H. plecostomus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypostomus plecostomus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Acipenser plecostomus Linnaeus, 1758[1] |
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Hypostomus plecostomus, the suckermouth catfish or common pleco, is a tropical fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae), 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 plecostomi sold in aquarium shops, most are actually members of other genera.[7]
Suckermouth catfish are of little or no value as a food fish, although they are at least occasionally consumed over their native range. However, they are of great value in the aquarium trade in the United States.
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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, southward to Uruguay, Guianan coastal drainages, Guyana and Suriname.[8] H. plecostomus occur in the wild in fresh running waters and brackish waters of river mouths.[9]
H. plecostomus have been introduced into some areas of Southern US (Florida and Texas), most likely released by aquarists into the local waters. For example, they are present in a lake in the neighborhood of Hammock Trace Preserve in Melbourne, FL. In Texas, reproducing populations occur in spring-influenced habitats of the San Antonio River (Bexar County), Comal Springs (Comal County), San Marcos River (Hays County), and San Felipe Creek (Val Verde County).[10][11]
They have also been introduced to several Asian countries, as well in the Philippines, where they are now considered a pest in areas in and around the Laguna de Bay. Suckermouth catfish are often cultured in ponds in Singapore and Hong Kong, where they are very popular for the aquarium trade.
H. plecostomus is one of a number of species commonly referred to as "plecostomus" or "common pleco" by aquarists. The suckermouth catfish is named for its sucker-like mouth, which allows it to adhere to a surface, 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 50 centimetres (20 in).[12]
In the aquarium, this dark-colored, bottom-feeding, nocturnal catfish is often purchased for its ability to clean algae from fish tanks. Being nocturnal, they usually avoid light and like to hide in dark places, coming out to feed at night. However, in aquaria, they can learn to be active in the daytime. They can tolerate a range of conditions. In their natural habitat, this species feeds on algae, aquatic weeds and other plant matter and small crustaceans. While vigorous algae eaters when they are young and small, as they grow, they begin to phase out algae in favor of aquatic plants and other larger foods, and cannot thrive on a diet of only algae. Their diet should be supplemented with blanched leafy green vegetables such as romaine lettuce, kale, and spinach, as well as commercial sinking tablet food designed for herbivores, such as algae wafers, and small portions of meaty foods, such as whole table shrimp or krill. While respectable algae consumers when young, their large size and appetites actually make them impractical in this role except for very large aquariums. Indeed, the large amount of waste an adult produces may actually help feed algae and fuel more growth. Their role is better filled in the average hobbyists aquarium by invertebrates such as Caridina multidentata and various species of snails, or simply with regular maintenance with an algae scraping implement. Otocinclus spp. and Ancistrus spp. are related Loricariids, which are more suitable for algae-consuming purposes in the average hobbyists aquarium.
Due to the adult size of these catfish, 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.
There is a large variety of common names used to describe H. plecostomus, where plecostomus and the shortened "pleco" are interchangeable in all common names. The names include:
Most of these common names are used for other species as well, which only serves to augment the confusion surrounding H. plecostomus and other Loricariidae such as H. punctatus, Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus and P. pardalis.