|
Join Our Sponsored Forums |
||||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
Plecs Hypostomus plecostomus
Common Name(s): Plecostomus; Pleco;
Sucker Mouth Members of the Loricariidae family of sucker mouth catfish, Plecostomus, or Plecos, are almost exclusively a freshwater fish with a geographic range from Panama to Uruguay in South America. With specially adapted mouthparts, the sucker mouth is able to attach itself to substrate. This prevents normal breathing, so these catfish can either briefly suspend breathing or move oxygen via specially adapted gill systems. Most Plecos are peaceful and prefer to rest or slowly graze over the aquarium bottom. They do an excellent job of cleaning unwanted algae from the bottom and sides of the tank. These unique fish with their anatomical adaptations make interesting additions to any freshwater community tank. The webmasters large pleco lives in a tank with 2 aquatic toads quite happily. In some sites you can see images of the pleco being held in the hand! This is quite normal believe it or not. An awkward thing to catch (use a very large net) but when in the hand lies still and the webmasters pleco actually talked to him! A sort of croaking noise (no, not gasping!!) emanated from him (or her!). Extremely peaceful but tends to rip through plants when searching for food, best kept with floating plants or weighted plants like elodea. Has an armour plated skin and can grow quite large. I fed mine on algae tablets and it has a liking for cucumber! One of the most peaceful fish I have ever had the pleasure to keep in my aquarium, nothing ruffles them. 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.
The river in which the Zebra Plecs live is earmarked for a Hydro project and its becoming likely that export of these rare fish may be banned in the near future. It is intended to have all wild living zebra plecs to a new location before the Hydro Project takes effect. The aquarium should be well-stocked with plants and driftwood. When they're not busy grazing on algae, Plecos like to rest on driftwood pieces or in caves. This is not an active fish and thus the aquarium need not be the usual size for a fish that grows up to 18 inches in length, though the largest tank possible is appreciated. There have been stories of Plecos growing to 15" in aquariums as small as 15 gallons but I would not recommend such a small environment. Provide a strong water current through the use of a powerhead or similar device.
|
||||||||
|
All information on this site is provided by the webmaster and, should there be a pricing error, it is my fault and not the shop or its staff. Any prices marked on stock shown on these pages were correct at the time the image was taken. If you have a question regarding the site Click to email me Erdington Aquatics 97-99 Church Road Erdington Birmingham B24 9BE England Telephone: 0121 373 1100 |
||||||||
|
© aquatic-store.co.uk |
||||||||
