Plecostomus (Hypostomus plecostomus)
| Plecostomus Hypostomus plecostomus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Plecostomus |
| Name Lat. | Hypostomus plecostomus |
| Family | Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Loricariidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname |
| Habitat | Rivers |
| Diet | Omnivore, soft wood |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Cave spawner |
| Breeding | None reported |
| Life Span | 10-15 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 25-30 cm |
| Temperature | 20-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 400 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 10"-12" |
| Temperature | 68-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 100 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Suckermouth Catfish is rivers in Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname. They live in large rivers, preferably in sections with low current. Roots protruding into the water, sunken tree trunks and branches serve as their habitat.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have robust planting, with roots and branches that provide hiding places and are also part of their diet, as well as caves and a sandy substrate. Subdued light and a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They eat the vegetable cover (growth) of stones, wood, plants, etc. and the microorganisms contained therein. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for loricariid catfish (granules, pellets, chips, tablets), supplemented with algae leaves, soft wood and fresh vegetables, such as zucchini, broccoli, bruised peas or scalded spinach, plus zooplankton, cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen)
Feed only as much as will be eaten within a few minutes, excluding plant foods. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are crepuscular and nocturnal. Older Suckermouth Catfish sometimes behave territorially within the species, therefore several animals should only be kept in large and richly structured tanks. They are very peaceful towards other fish and can be socialized well with larger fish.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
They rarely reach the trade. Often offered under their name is the Pterygoplichthys pardalis (leopard sail shield catfish), which is bred in large quantities in South America and Asia. The Hypostomus plecostomus has only 7 soft rays, in contrast to the Pterygoplichthys pardalis, which has 14 soft rays
Aquarium plants are basically not used as food for them, but they can be damaged or uprooted. They have a strong sucking mouth, with spoon-shaped teeth for scraping wood, and an intestinal flora that allows the fish to digest the cellulose
When fishing, use the finest mesh nets possible to avoid snagging the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) on the bone plates, which can cause painful puncture wounds when touched.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF