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 plecos or plecs. They are extremely popular in aquaria for their ability to clean tanks by eating algae growth. In Malaysia, these fish are called 'ikan bandaraya' or 'municipal fish' in English because of their ability to clean fish tanks. These friendly-natured fish can typically be purchased when about 8 cm (3 inches) and may grow up to 60 cm (2 ft) if there is adequate room, making them mostly impracticable for any but the largest aquariums.

Plecos are omnivorous but, in the wild, feed mostly on plant material at night. During the day, their unusual omega irides block a lot of the light out of their eyes, but they are usually open at night. They can roll their eye within their sockets.

As they age, their foreheads enlarge in a peculiar manner. Plecos may become more territorial with age and are best kept individually in tanks. Because of their potentially large size and territorial behaviour, it may be advisable to procure a less aggressive catfish. In a suitably large tank, a solitary plecostomus will live amicably enough in a community alongside other tropical fish. These catfish may survive in tanks with "cold-water" species like goldfish, but it is generally not advised due to the different temperature preferences and the fact that some plecos will suck the protective slime coat off the goldfish. This however would indicate your pleco is starving and seeking the algae stuck to the slime coat.

There are a number of species that are sold on the market under the name common algae sucker, including Hypostomus plecostomus, Hypostomus punctatus, Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus, and Pterygoplichthys pardalis.

In an aquarium setting these fish find great pleasure in air stones and swimming in and through the bubbles.

The name "plecostomus" means "folded mouth" (pleco, see pleat, stoma, mouth), but it has since been applied to any of a large number of species that have a similar shape, but vary widely in terms of maximum length, coloration, and certain body features such as the "horns" on the bristlenose catfish (genus Ancistrus).

Plecos are omnivores. They are not picky eaters. In planted aquariums they will eat any food left behind by other fish as well as naturally growing algae in the tank. In tanks without live plants, their diet can be supplemented with sinking fish food, usually in the form of pellets readily available from a pet store.

Although the plecostomus is a known common algae sucker, it requires more than just pellets and tank algae to eat. You can also, and should, feed them: algae wafers, zucchini, cucumber, peas, melon and also any semi-soft fruit or vegetable will do as well. They also can eat shrimp, shrimp pellets and flake fish food.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plecostomus

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Freshwater
• Aquarium

[LilTitler]

my pleco keeps jumping out of my fish tank at night and its really annoying y is it doing it?

[Boodangy]

@LilTitler maybe not enough air bubbles

[wishmaker244]

i just got a pelco and its less then 2inches,can i feed it goldfish food?

[Boodangy]

@wishmaker244 bottom feeders are pigs

[MrGreengiant15]

HAHA a train!!!thanks for the information...i have a plecostomus..i am gonna give him some zuccini...how do i do that tho?

[Boodangy]

@MrGreengiant15 Google "How do i feed my pleco zucchini?" should help you

[Freakyguy4904]

the video of it

[Freakyguy4904]

i got a pleco caught in the wild from uraguay and i dont know what type it is i have not seen it before and i posted a video of it could you possibly tell me what type it is its called wild uraguayan catfish/pleco

[NesteHukka2]

Nice... however you could add more waterflow to surface. By watching all fish respiration speed, there could be better oxygen content in water. Could be, not necessarily should be.

[ColinM0961]

@wishmaker244 you dont have to if you dont want to because they just eat algae off the side of the tank.

(they also eat dead goldfish)

[pinki2101]

ohhh yeaahh doin its thang:))