FreshwaterBrackish
Suckermouth catfish
Hypostomus plecostomus
Loricariidae, Hypostominae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 25 cm
- Body shape
- Elongated
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 375 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname.
Introduced to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam.
Tank mates
More about the species
Description
This species inhabits the lower part of rivers still under tide influence, and characterized by a quiet flowing water and muddy substrate, and swamps. Feeds on algae and small crustaceans. Is cultured in ponds in Singapore and Hong Kong for the aquarium trade, where it is very popular.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Acipenser plecostomus
- Hypostomus guacari
- Loricaria flava
- Plecostomus bicirrosus
- Plecostomus brasiliensis
- Plecostomus plecostomus
In other languages
- Almindelig sugemalle, Storhovedet Sugemalle
- Surinamintäpläpleko
- Janitor fish, Plecostomus, Sea hasar, Spotted pleco, Sucking catfish
Articles
All articles
Algae: which kind and what to do3 min read
The most common algae in the aquarium, how to recognize them, and why the cause is almost always an imbalance of light and nutrients.
How to set up a South American aquarium4 min read
Soft, acidic water, subdued light, sand, roots and fallen leaves: how to set up a biotope aquarium from the Amazon and the rivers around it.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.