by Stephen J Broy
Hypostomus plecostomus are members of the family Loricariidae more commonly referred to as catfish. Loricariidae are the largest family of catfish with 684 species in 92 different genera. The actual number of species belonging to this family can only be estimated. There are new species being discovered annually with still others awaiting official scientific classification.
The taxonomical designation plecostomus only describes a single species of armored catfish within the family Loricariidae. There are, however, over 50 scientifically classified and many more as yet unclassified species within this family native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the lower western hemisphere. All have the shared trait of ingesting algae as part of their dietary intake and have become known world wide as algae eaters. Plecostomus, plecos or plecs, although not scientifically accurate, are used interchangeably when referring to these algae eating armored catfish.
Plecos are one of the most easily recognizable and commonly owned aquarium fish on the planet. Their immense popularity is inarguably a result of their dietary habits. Their ease of recognition, however, should be only partially attributed to their near mandatory presence in a freshwater aquarium. The armored catfishes’ prehistoric origins set them apart from almost every other freshwater species in existence. Their appearance has remained virtually unchanged since they first swam the oceans long before dinosaurs roamed the face of the Earth. Owning a plecos is like having a living fossil in your aquarium.
Plecos are also frequently referred to as suckermouths. This is understandable if you have ever seen one hang the full weight of its body from its mouth on the side of an aquarium. In nature, these fish inhabit a wide range of ecosystems but prefer the swift moving waters of rain driven rivers and streams. Their suction cup mouths allow them to remain virtually immobile in the strongest torrential runoffs. This same suctioning ability is one of the most effective means of taking in organic debris from the bottoms of streams and riverbeds ever produced by nature.
If you go to buy any fish that is labeled Plecostomus, Plecos or Algae Eater make sure to take its estimated adult size into consideration. The actual species belonging to the name plecostomus can reach an excess of 2 feet in length. They routinely grow to a foot or more in the confines of an aquarium. The adult size of the various species sold under these blanket terms varies considerably. Some are as small as two inches when fully grown. Make sure to choose one that the size of your aquarium will accommodate.
Armored catfish are excellent additions to any community tank. They are bottom dwellers by nature. Bottom dwellers as a rule tend to ignore the activities of their fellow tank mates. When they venture up from their substrate domain to clean the interior walls of your aquarium they will remain focused on the task at hand rather than the fish swimming passed them.
While plecos generally ignore the other fish in an aquarium, this can not be said for the presence of other bottom dwellers. Bottom dwellers in general are territorial by nature. It is very rare for aquarium keepers to able to successfully keep more than one bottom dweller in an aquarium together, even if they are totally unrelated species. Unless you have a very large tank with a lot of bottom surface area you should avoid such temptation.
Loricariids are a nocturnal family. They are active at night and will instinctively seek out shelter to sleep in during the day. Providing your plecos with a place rest in during the day will help it acclimate to its new surroundings. While this is not strictly necessary, it is recommended. Plecos will rest on the substrate during the day in an unadorned aquarium.
One of the common misconceptions about plecos is that they live on algae. This is understandable given the amount of time they spend hanging off of aquarium walls. It is also incorrect. Loricariids are scavenger fish. Scavengers survive by feeding on the decomposing organic matter left behind from a well balanced ecosystem. Hence the term bottom feeder.
Loricariids are quite possibly the ultimate scavenger. They can survive in conditions where other fish would wither and die of starvation. Simple survival however does not address optimum health and longevity. It is unwise to simply assume that your plecos’ dietary needs are being fully meant.
Putting sinking wafers or pellets in your aquarium at night when the other fish are less active will help make sure your plecos’ dietary needs are being meant. Loricariids are not finicky eaters. They will eat the same vegetables humans do. They eat a wide variety of vegetables. Vegetables can be cooked or served raw, leafy like spinach or bulky like zucchini, broccoli, and cauliflower. Having driftwood in your aquarium is also recommended. Plecos love to nibble on drift wood. This would seem to indicate that wood provides a needed source of fiber.
Plecos are not known to spawn in captivity. Most species that do not breed in captivity are captured to support the thriving aquarium industry. This is typically not the case when it comes to plecos. Central and South America natives have turned the harvesting of plecos eggs into an industry all its own. The eggs are collected from drying streams and riverbeds and then sold to fish farms where they are hatched and raised for eventual resale. Many plecos sold in fish stores were harvested just this way.
Filed under Fish by Stephen J Broy