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Plecostomus



Plecostomus, pleco, algae eater, or algae sucker, is a general name for a type of freshwater tropical Central and South American fish belonging to the family Loricariidae. Algae eaters are extremely popular in aquaria for their ability to clean tanks by eating algae growth. These fish are typically sold at about 8 cm (3 inches) and may grow up to 60 cm (2 feet), and a few species can reach even more. A relatively new species is hardy and grows to a maximum of 10 cm (4 inches)[citation needed], an ideal size for small to average size tanks.

Plecos are omnivorous but, in the wild, feed mostly on plant material at night. During the day, their unusual omega irises block a lot of the light out of their eyes. The iris opens at night. They can also wink by rolling the eye into the head.

As they age, their foreheads enlarge in a peculiar manner. Plecos can become more territorial and are best kept individually in tanks. Because of their large size and territorial behaviour, when stocking smaller aquaria it is often better to consider a bristlenose catfish (Ancistrus), which generally grow to about 15 cm (6 inches), are very peaceable, and also eat algae. In a suitably large tank a solitary plecostomus will live amicably enough in a community tank alongside other tropical fish. These catfish can be kept in tanks with "cold-water" species like goldfish, Carassius auratus, these tanks need to be heated however.

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.

There are many types of suckermouth armoured catfishes that science has not described. As a result, they are given a common name and an L-number designation until a new scientific name for the fish is described. An example is the flash plecostomus, L204, believed to be a species of Panaque.

Plecostomus catfish are some of the most commonly kept algae-eating catfish, and are also some of the largest. Individuals measuring over 60 cm (2 feet) long have been reported in ponds and large tanks; Most people think they only grow large enough for their aquarium, but a small tank may only slow their rate of growth. Their growth may also become stunted in a smaller tank, leading to bad health and possibly an early death.

Etymology
The name "Plecostomus" means "folded" (pleco, see pleat) "mouth" (stomas, see stomach), 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).


Territorial Behavior
A maturing plecostomus sucking to a aquarium wall.Plecos, when introduced to an aquarium, will often find a permanent resting place (under or inside an ornament or rock, for example) to spend most of its time. This becomes a "home" for the Plecostomus. If there are no hiding places, they will sleep on the corner of their tank.