Hypostomus plecostomus

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Hypostomus plecostomus
Hypostomus plecostomus - Raphael Covain.png
An individual from the Commewijne River Basin, published along with the 2012 revision of the Hypostomus plecostomus type series [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Subfamily: Hypostominae
Tribe: Hypostomini
Genus: Hypostomus
Species:
H. plecostomus
Binomial name
Hypostomus plecostomus
Synonyms [3]

Acipenser plecostomus Linnaeus, 1758
Hypostomus guacariLacepède, 1803
Loricaria flavaShaw, 1804
Plecostomus bicirrosusGronow, 1854
Plecostomus brasiliensisBleeker, 1864
Plecostomus plecostomus Linnaeus, 1758
Pterygoplichthys plecostomus  Linnaeus, 1758

Contents

Hypostomus plecostomus, also known as the suckermouth catfish or common pleco, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). The genus Hypostomus is the largest in the family Loricariidae, containing over 130 species and many undescribed forms. Named for the longitudinal rows of armor-like scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body (the lower surface of head and abdomen is naked soft skin). Although the name Hypostomus plecostomus is often used to refer to common plecostomus sold in aquarium shops, most are actually members of other genera. [4] [1]

Suckermouth catfish are of little or no value as a food fish, although they are at least occasionally consumed over their native range. [2] A demand exists for them, however, as a bottom cleaner in the aquarium trade. [5]

Distribution and habitat

This species' native range is tropical northeastern South America; it naturally occurs in northeastern Brazil, the Guianas, and Trinidad and Tobago. [3] Confusingly, the name Hypostomus plecostomus (or Plecostomus plecostomus) has sometimes been incorrectly used for several more-or-less similar loricariid catfishes, both in the popular and scientific literature. For example, it has sometimes been suggested that it occurs in southern Central America, but this is an entirely separate species, Hemiancistrus aspidolepis (also known under another synonym, Hypostomus panamensis). [6] [7]

The invasive Pterygoplichthys pardalis has been repeatedly erroneously reported as H. plecostomus, though the latter species is restricted to the rivers of the Guianas. 2004-02-02 Pterygoplichthys pardalis on blue gravel.jpg
The invasive Pterygoplichthys pardalis has been repeatedly erroneously reported as H. plecostomus, though the latter species is restricted to the rivers of the Guianas.

Some Loricariidae species have been widely introduced to several countries around the world and reported as H. plecostomus. [3] It is erroneous, [1] and the concerned species belong to the genus Pterygoplichthys (either P. pardalis , [8] P. disjunctivus , [9] P. anisitsi [10] or P. multiradiatus [11] ). In the United States, a Pterygoplichthys species has been introduced to some regions in the South, most likely released by aquarists into the local waters. For example, they are present in a lake in the neighborhood of Hammock Trace Preserve in Melbourne, Florida. In Texas, reproducing populations occur in spring-influenced habitats of the San Antonio River (Bexar County), Comal Springs (Comal County), San Marcos River (Hays County), and San Felipe Creek (Val Verde County), as well as in drainage canals in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston. [12] [13]

The same identification issues have spread in the literature regarding the invasive catfishes in Taiwan, with H. plecostomus being one of the numerous names used to designate the species: DNA studies showed the alien fishes were actually P. pardalis and P. disjunctivus (that hybridise extensively). [14]

H. plecostomus prefer to live in water between 72 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (~22.2 to 30 degrees Celsius), with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. [15]

Diet

Hypostomus plecostomus is named for its sucker-like mouth, which allows it to adhere to a surface, as well as to hold and rasp at food, including newly hatched and baby golden apple snails as well as Malaysian trumpet snails. [16] This omnivorous species also feeds on algae, aquatic plants, and small crustaceans. [17] [ citation needed ]

Physiology

Hypostomus plecostomus is one of many species of fish that is able to breathe air. Hypostomus plecostomus relies on its gills for respiration in normal and slightly hypoxic water, and the less oxygen present in the water, the more frequently it surfaces to breathe air. [18] The air is taken to the stomach where the oxygen is absorbed, and the air can be kept in the stomach to increase buoyancy, which may help it to feed on vegetation. [19]

In the aquarium

H. plecostomus is one of a number of species commonly referred to as "plecostomus" or "common pleco" by aquarists. These fish are sold when they are young and small, but in the wild, they can grow to be a maximum size of 50 centimetres (20 in). [3] In captivity, however, a full-grown Hypostomus plecostomus only reaches 15 inches (38 cm) on average, which could be explained by the subpar oxygen levels in most home aquaria and other practices of bad fish husbandry. [20] In the aquarium trade, this dark-colored, bottom-feeding, nocturnal catfish is often purchased for its ability to clean algae from fish tanks but also contributes a lot of waste to the nitrogen cycle. They are difficult for other fish to harass, both due to the semi-aggressive nature of the fish as well as its thick armor. [21]

Invasive species

In Bangladesh, the species, among some other suckermouth catfishes has become invasive. The government is currently on its way to impose a ban on the farming, hatchling production, breeding, marketing and trading of the fish. [22] It has also raised serious concern in India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. [23] In September 2024, the Selangor state government in Malaysia allocated RM50,000 (approximately US$ 11,533) as an incentive to capture 50,000 kg of the fish in Langat River. [24]

In the Philippines, two very similar species, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus and Pterygoplichthys pardalis , were initially misidentified as Hypostomus plecostomus due to them sharing the local common names of "janitor fish" and "pleco". [25] They were introduced in the 1970s via the aquarium trade and has since become highly invasive to Laguna de Bay (including tributaries like the Marikina River) and the Agusan Marsh. [26]

Naming

Common names

A large variety of common names is used to describe H. plecostomus, where plecostomus and the shortened "pleco" are interchangeable in all common names. The names include:

Taxonomy

The species' scientific name, Hypostomus plecostomus, is derived from the Greek word hypo (υπό, meaning "under"), the Greek word stoma (στόμα, meaning "mouth"), and the Latin word pleco (meaning "pleated").[ citation needed ]

Many of the common names used to identify Hypostomus plecostomus are also used for other species, which augments the confusion surrounding H. plecostomus and other Loricariidae such as H. punctatus , Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus and P. pardalis . In 2012, Weber, Covain, and Fisch-Muller showed the type series of Carl Linnaeus was heterogenous and comprised two species: H. plecostomus (for which the authors designate a lectotype) and H. watwata . [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Ancistrus</i> Genus of fishes

Ancistrus is a genus of nocturnal freshwater fish in the family Loricariidae of order Siluriformes, native to freshwater habitats in South America and Panama. Fish of this genus are common in the aquarium trade where they are known as bushynose or bristlenose catfish. In the aquarium hobby they are often referred to as bushynose or bristlenose plecos instead, but this may lead to confusion as "pleco" usually is used for Hypostomus plecostomus and its allies and is often used as a catchall term for any loricariids remotely resembling that species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loricariidae</span> Largest family of catfish

Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish, with over 90 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.

<i>Hypostomus</i> Genus of fishes

Hypostomus is a genus of catfish in the family Loricariidae. They are native to tropical and subtropical South America. H. plecostomus is the popular freshwater aquarium fish formerly known as Plecostomus plecostomus. The taxonomic structure of the Loricariidae is still being expanded by scientists. Hypostomus is a highly species-rich and widely distributed catfish genus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plecostomus</span> Index of animals with the same common name

Plecostomus, pleco, or plec is the common name of several species of freshwater loricariid catfish commonly sold as aquarium fish.

Hypostomus punctatus, the suckermouthed catfish, is a tropical fish belonging to the armored suckermouth catfish family, Loricariidae. Hypostomus punctatus is a freshwater fish native to South America, in the coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil and Uruguay. It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as "plecostomus" or "common pleco" by aquarists.

Plecostomus, pleco, or plec refers to several species of freshwater loricariid catfish commonly sold as aquarium fish:

<i>Panaque</i> Genus of fishes

The genus Panaque contains a small number of small to medium-sized South American suckermouth armoured catfishes that are notable for being among the very few vertebrates that feed extensively on wood. In addition, algae and aufwuchs are an important part of the diet, and they use their rasping teeth to scrape this from rocks. These fish are also popular aquarium fish, where the sound of scraping as these fish forage for food is easily audible.

<i>Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus</i> Species of fish

Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus, also known as the Gold spot pleco or the Marbled sailfin pleco, is a species of armored catfish. It is endemic to Brazil, occurring in the Tocantins River basin. It is often mistaken for Pterygoplichthys pardalis or Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps.

Suckermouth catfish may refer to:

Sailfin catfish, Janitor fish can refer to any of:

<i>Pterygoplichthys</i> Genus of fishes

Pterygoplichthys, sometimes collectively known as janitor fish, is a genus of South American armored catfishes. These fish are commonly known as sailfin armoured catfish or sailfin plecs, especially in the aquarium trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypostominae</span> Subfamily of fishes

The Hypostominae are a subfamily of catfishes of the family Loricariidae. Most members are restricted to tropical and subtropical South America, but there are also several species in southern Central America. Hypostomus plecostomus, which is popular in the aquarium trade, has been introduced to several regions far from its native range.

<i>Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus</i> Species of fish

Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus is one of several tropical fish commonly known as Orinoco sailfin catfish, plecostomus. It belongs to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). Named for its sail-like dorsal fin, the part of its scientific name multiradiatus means "many-rayed" and refers to the rays of the dorsal fin. P. multiradiatus is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the common pleco by aquarists.

<i>Pterygoplichthys pardalis</i> Species of fish

Pterygoplichthys pardalis, the Amazon sailfin catfish, is a freshwater tropical fish in the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). It is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the common pleco or "leopard pleco" by aquarists.It can be called 豹紋翼甲鯰 in Mandarin Chinese.

Hypostomus niceforoi is a species of suckermouth armored catfish. H. niceforoi reaches 13.5 cm SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.

Pterygoplichthys anisitsi also known as the Paraná sailfin catfish, southern sailfin catfish, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. Its natural range is the middle Paraná and Uruguay River basins of south-central South America, but it has been introduced to North America and South Asia, probably via the pet trade. Like other loricariid catfishes, Pterygoplichthys anisitsi has a ventral mouth modified into a sucking disk and a body covered in bony plates. The species typically has a dark and white spotted body pattern, although some individuals are very dark with few spots. It reaches 55 cm in total length and can weigh up to at least 2.3 kg.

Aphanotorulus gomesi is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Jaguaribe River basin. The species reaches 14.3 cm SL. It is thought to be a facultative air-breather.

<i>Hypostomus regani</i> Species of fish

Hypostomus regani is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Paraná River, the Paraguay River, and the Uruguay River. The species reaches 41 cm (16 in) SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.

<i>Hypostomus robinii</i> Species of fish

Hypostomus robinii, commonly known as the teta, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to the Caribbean, where it occurs in freshwater habitats on the island of Trinidad. It inhabits fast-flowing streams, where it feeds on periphyton.

<i>Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus</i> Species of catfish

Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, commonly known as the vermiculated sailfin catfish, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Madeira River basin in Bolivia and Brazil, although it has subsequently been introduced to various countries.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Weber, Claude; Covain, Raphaël; Fisch-Muller, Sonia (2012). "Identity of Hypostomus plecostomus (Linnaeus, 1758), with an overview of Hypostomus species from the Guianas (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Loricariidae)". Cybium. 36 (1): 195–227.
  2. 1 2 Armbruster, J.W. (14 February 2021). "Hypostomus plecostomus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2023: e.T176017246A176017284. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T176017246A176017284.en . Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hypostomus plecostomus". FishBase . April 2024 version.
  4. ↑ "Hypostomus plecostomus". Cat-eLog. PlanetCatfish. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  5. ↑ Sanders, Jessie. "Suckermouth Catfish Species Profile". thesprucepe.com. DotDash. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Bussing, W.A. (1998). Freshwater fishes of Costa Rica. Pp. 160–162. ISBN   978-9977-67-489-6.
  7. ↑ Angulo, Arturo; Garita-Alvarado, Carlos A.; Bussing, William A.; López, Myrna I. (2013). "Annotated checklist of the freshwater fishes of continental and insular Costa Rica: Additions and nomenclatural revisions". Check List. 9 (5): 987–1019. doi: 10.15560/9.5.987 .
  8. ↑ Amazon Sailfin Catfish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis) – FactSheet Archived 2017-10-13 at the Wayback Machine , Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
  9. ↑ Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish(Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) – FactSheet Archived 2017-10-13 at the Wayback Machine , Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
  10. ↑ Paraná Sailfin Catfish (Pterygoplichthys anisitsi) – FactSheet Archived 2017-10-13 at the Wayback Machine , Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
  11. ↑ Orinoco Sailfin Catfish (Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus) – FactSheet Archived 2017-07-11 at the Wayback Machine , Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
  12. ↑ Pound, Katrina L.; Nowlin, Weston H.; Huffman, David G.; Bonner, Timothy H. (18 November 2010). "Trophic ecology of a nonnative population of suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) in a central Texas spring-fed stream" (PDF). Environmental Biology of Fishes. 90 (3): 277–285. doi:10.1007/s10641-010-9741-7. S2CID   2185296. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  13. ↑ Shafland, P. L. (1976). "The Continuing Problem of Non-Native Fishes in Florida". Fisheries. 1 (6): 24. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  14. ↑ Wu, Li-Wei; Chien-Chin, Liu; Si-Min, Lin (2011). "Identification of exotic sailfin catfish species (Pterygoplichthys, Loricariidae) in Taiwan based on morphology and mtDNA sequences". Zoological Studies. 50 (2): 235–246.
  15. ↑ "Common Pleco Care: Diet, Size, Lifespan, Tank Size..." Aquarium Source. 11 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  16. ↑ "Care Guide for Plecos – The Mighty Armored Catfish". Aquariumcoop.com. Aquarium Co-Op. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "Plecostomus". Smithsonian's National Zoo. 2016-04-25. Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
  18. ↑ Gill morphometry of the facultative air-breathing loricariid fish,Hypostomus plecostomus (Walbaum) with, special emphasis on aquatic respiration, Perna and Fernandes 1996 Fish Physiology and Biochemistry
  19. ↑ The Transition to Air Breathing in Fishes:: I. Environmental Effects on the Facultative Air Breathing of Ancistrus Chagresi and Hypostomus Plecostomus Loricariidae. 1982   GRAHAM, J. B., & BAIRD, T. A.  https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/96/1/53/23365/The-Transition-to-Air-Breathing-in-Fishes-I
  20. ↑ Momchil (4 April 2022). "How Big Do Plecos Get? (Full Adult Body Size)". Aquanswers. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  21. ↑ "Common Pleco Care: Diet, Size, Lifespan, Tank Size..." Aquarium Source. 11 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  22. ↑ "Bangladesh to ban 'suckermouth catfish' as it threatens aquatic biodiversity". The Financial Express. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  23. ↑ "The alien fish invading India's rivers and lakes". The Independent. 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  24. ↑ "Selangor govt offers RM1 per kg pleco captured this month [WATCH]". New Straits Times. 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  25. ↑ Chavez, Jose M.; Carandang, Jose Santos R.; Arcilla, Esperanza I. Taxonomic Impediment: A Handicap in Invasive Species Management. Cartagena de Indias Convention Center, Cartagena, Columbia: 28th International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2017).
  26. ↑ Fernandez, Rudy (16 January 2016). "Imported 'invasive' species threaten Philippine fishery industry". PhilStar Global. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  27. ↑ "Fish jerky, anyone? Business hopes to sell Mexico's 'devil fish' to Canadians as sustainable snack". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-07-03. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  28. ↑ Orfinger, Alexander Benjamin; Douglas Goodding, Daniel (2018-02-14). "The Global Invasion of the Suckermouth Armored Catfish Genus Pterygoplichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): Annotated List of Species, Distributional Summary, and Assessment of Impacts". Zoological Studies. 57 (57): e7. doi:10.6620/ZS.2018.57-07. ISSN   1021-5506. PMC   6517723 . PMID   31966247.

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