Post by MADMIKE on Apr 9, 2007 16:57:18 GMT -5
Plecostomus
Hypostomus Plecostomus
Catfish
Other common names: Pleco, Plec,
Suckermouth Catfish
Size: up to 20 inches!
Tank: 48 inches, 45 Gallons
Strata: bottom
pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Hardness: soft to medium, dH range: 1-30
Temperature: 72 to 86°F (23-30°C)
Family: Loricariidae
Origin: Amazonia, in Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay
Social : Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 15+years
Diet : Herbivorous
Breeding: Not in captivity
Care: Beginner
Classification
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genera: liposarcus
General Body Form:
The Pleco is elongated and has an almost flat belly and a convex back area. The most
prominent feature is the large dorsal fin, which has one large ray and seven, soft rays,
which can be easily seen when it is extended.
It is covered everywhere but the belly with large bony plates.
The head is large, broad, and flat.
The mouth is located on the underside of the head and is shaped like a suction cup. It has one pair of barbels.
They can grow quite large but usually stay smaller in all but the biggest aquaria.
Coloration:
The color varies depending on the age, species, and environment the individual came
from.
Usually the body has a base color of light brown to black. The fish can be spotted,
striped, splotched, or one solid color. The fins are the same color as the rest of the
body.
Maintenance:
The Plecostomus Catfish, is a long time aquarium favorite.
The main attraction of this fish is its ability to keep the aquarium free of algae. It accomplishes this by "sucking" at the aquarium glass or decorations with its strong, under-turned mouth.A peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with small to large fish, including
cichlids. Does not get along with own species. Each fish sets up territories to defend.
Young fish can be kept together while adults become aggressively territorial.
A tank of 20" (60 cm) or 10 gallons (38 L) is sufficient for young individuals, those under
4" (10 cm). Eventually they must be moved to larger tanks. The tank should have open
swimming areas and hiding places of rocks, wood, caves, and wood.
The Plecos are all twilight animals and are most active at this time.
Avoid keeping the fish in extreme pH levels or temperatures and it will usually thrive.
Plecos should not have to rely on naturally growing algae alone as their only diet. As they mature they lose their algae eating tendencies somewhat and must be fed a basic diet of sinking herbivorous foods. Lettuce or zucchini strapped to a rock with a rubber band makes a great snack for your Pleco. Dried algae tablets can also be purchased and make a great daily food. Plecos will generally leave plants alone providing they get
enough vegetable matter in the diet.
Breeding
While not bred in captivity, the Plecostomus are bred in mass quantities in Singapore, Florida, and Hong Kong in large ponds with steep sides. A pair will dig a burrow, in which, they spawn about 300 eggs. The ponds are drained and the parents and their young are removed. This fish is also often bred in Bangkok in fish hatcheries.
Hypostomus Plecostomus
Catfish
Other common names: Pleco, Plec,
Suckermouth Catfish
Size: up to 20 inches!
Tank: 48 inches, 45 Gallons
Strata: bottom
pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Hardness: soft to medium, dH range: 1-30
Temperature: 72 to 86°F (23-30°C)
Family: Loricariidae
Origin: Amazonia, in Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay
Social : Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 15+years
Diet : Herbivorous
Breeding: Not in captivity
Care: Beginner
Classification
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genera: liposarcus
General Body Form:
The Pleco is elongated and has an almost flat belly and a convex back area. The most
prominent feature is the large dorsal fin, which has one large ray and seven, soft rays,
which can be easily seen when it is extended.
It is covered everywhere but the belly with large bony plates.
The head is large, broad, and flat.
The mouth is located on the underside of the head and is shaped like a suction cup. It has one pair of barbels.
They can grow quite large but usually stay smaller in all but the biggest aquaria.
Coloration:
The color varies depending on the age, species, and environment the individual came
from.
Usually the body has a base color of light brown to black. The fish can be spotted,
striped, splotched, or one solid color. The fins are the same color as the rest of the
body.
Maintenance:
The Plecostomus Catfish, is a long time aquarium favorite.
The main attraction of this fish is its ability to keep the aquarium free of algae. It accomplishes this by "sucking" at the aquarium glass or decorations with its strong, under-turned mouth.A peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with small to large fish, including
cichlids. Does not get along with own species. Each fish sets up territories to defend.
Young fish can be kept together while adults become aggressively territorial.
A tank of 20" (60 cm) or 10 gallons (38 L) is sufficient for young individuals, those under
4" (10 cm). Eventually they must be moved to larger tanks. The tank should have open
swimming areas and hiding places of rocks, wood, caves, and wood.
The Plecos are all twilight animals and are most active at this time.
Avoid keeping the fish in extreme pH levels or temperatures and it will usually thrive.
Plecos should not have to rely on naturally growing algae alone as their only diet. As they mature they lose their algae eating tendencies somewhat and must be fed a basic diet of sinking herbivorous foods. Lettuce or zucchini strapped to a rock with a rubber band makes a great snack for your Pleco. Dried algae tablets can also be purchased and make a great daily food. Plecos will generally leave plants alone providing they get
enough vegetable matter in the diet.
Breeding
While not bred in captivity, the Plecostomus are bred in mass quantities in Singapore, Florida, and Hong Kong in large ponds with steep sides. A pair will dig a burrow, in which, they spawn about 300 eggs. The ponds are drained and the parents and their young are removed. This fish is also often bred in Bangkok in fish hatcheries.