Hypostomus plecostomus, also known as the suckermouth catfish or the common pleco, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae), named for the longitudinal rows of armor-like scutes that cover the upper parts of the head and body. Although the name Hypostomus plecostomus is often used to refer to common plecostomus sold in aquarium shops, most are actually members of other genera.
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.
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.
Hypostomus agna is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Ribeira de Iguape River basin. It was formally described as a new species in 1907 by Brazilian ichthyologist Alípio de Miranda-Ribeiro, as a species of Plecostomus.
Hypostomus hondae is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the drainage basins of Lake Maracaibo and the Magdalena River. It is known to feed on detritus containing algae. The species reaches 35 cm SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
Hypostomus hermanni, sometimes known as Hermann's pleco, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Tietê River basin, including the Piracicaba River, in Brazil. It is typically found in areas with flowing water of shallow to moderately shallow depth. The species reaches 24 cm in total length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
Hypostomus spiniger, sometimes known as the spiny plated pleco, is a disputed species of catfish in the family Loricariidae with a complex history of classification.
Hypostomus multidens is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Paranapanema River and the Paraná River in Brazil. It is typically seen in large rivers, where it usually occurs at low population densities. The species reaches 19.8 cm SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather. Its specific epithet, multidens, refers to the species' distinctively high number of teeth, with individuals of H. multidens possessing between 122 and 267 teeth per mandibular ramus.
Hypostomus mutucae is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Cuiabá River basin in Brazil. The species reaches 10.9 cm SL.
Hypostomus myersi is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Iguazu River and the Urugua-í River. The species reaches 20.7 cm SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
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 SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
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.
Hypostomus ternetzi 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 34.3 cm in total length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather. It is known to spawn by excavating nests in stream banks in which eggs are deposited.
Hypostomus topavae is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Paraná River drainage, including the Rio Grande basin. The species is very large for a loricariid, reaching 70 cm SL.
Hypostomus vaillanti is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Preto River basin in the São Francisco River drainage. The species reaches 18.5 cm SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
Hypostomus boulengeri is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America. The species reaches 24.5 cm SL and is believed to be a facultative air-breather.
Hypostomus commersoni is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Paraná River drainage, including the Iguazu River, the Paraguay River, the Río de la Plata, and the Dulce River. It is typically found in rivers with muddy substrates and moderate currents. The water that H. commersoni inhabits usually has a temperature of 16.8 to 27.8 °C, a pH of 7.2 to 9.2, a turbidity of 23.7 to 442 NTU, an oxygen concentration of 6.1 to 9.1 mg/L, and a conductivity of 1.087 to 2.654 μS/cm.
Hypostomus dardanelos is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. Its type locality is stated to be the Praia Grande River, a tributary of the Aripuanã in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.
Hypostomus ericius, sometimes known as the beige cochliodon, is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the upper Amazon River drainage in Peru. The species reaches 18.7 cm in standard length.
Hypostomus faveolus is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the basins of the Tocantins River and the Xingu River in central Brazil. Adults of the species are typically found in both rapids and slow-flowing sections of medium to large rivers with varying substrates, although juveniles have been found in oxbow lakes and smaller streams. The species reaches 20.6 cm in standard length and is believed to be a facultative air-breather. Its specific epithet, faveolus, is derived from a Latin word meaning "honeycomb", referencing the honeycomb-like patterning exhibited by the species.
