Trinidad/Common Pleco - Hypostomus plecostomus - Small
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Details
The Trinidad Pleco or "Common Pleco" (Hypostomus plecostomus) is one of the most common and popular plecos in the aquarium trade and is often sold as an algae-eater for all types of aquariums. However, it is also one of the least suited for most home aquariums. This pleco can grow very large (over 2 feet in length) and they are omnivorous (eating both meaty foods and plant matter, though they seem to eat more plant matter than meatier foods). Trinidad Plecos are brown with darker brown or black spots. Read more on "The Trinidad Pleco - Not an Algae Eater for Every Tank" on That Fish Blog.
The fish commonly known as "plecos" come from the family Loricariidae, also known as the "armored catfish". They include fish from the genera Ancistrus, Baryancistrus, Chaetostoma, Hypostomus, Leporacanthicus, Panaque, Peckoltia, Pseudancistrus and many others. They are known to many as "suckerfish" due to the shape of their body and mouth and are often sold as algae-eaters even though many of them eat little algae. In addition to the two-part scientific names used for all living things, plecos also have their own naming system that identifies them by "L-number" or "LDA-number". Though this is not an "official" naming method, it is popular among hobbyists and collectors.
Plecos are generally flattened with a large, round head and skinnier body. The body is covered by hard plates and many have strong spines in their fins and even along the body. The mouths are on the underside of the fish and are used to rasp food from hard surfaces and to help the pleco maintain its position in the water flow.
Plecos are commonly purchased by new and experienced aquarists alike as algae-eaters; most plecos do not eat algae or need other foods in their diet as well. The genera Ancistrus, Peckoltia and Otocinclus are a few common, smaller plecos that will help control algae without eating live plants. Many others are omnivores (eat both plant matter and meaty foods), carnivores (primarily eat meaty foods) or scavengers (eat whatever they can find). Some plecos, notably those from the Panaque genus, even eat wood as part of their diet.
Many plecos also get very large and their size as well as their waste production make them unsuitable for small aquariums. The very common Trinidad Pleco/Common Pleco (Hypostomus plecostomus) grows close to two feet in length. As with any other tank residents, choose plecos carefully with respect to their size, behavior and diet.
Specifications
Specifications | |
MPN | F90 0022 2017 |
Manufacturer | That Fish Place |
Common Name | Trinidad/Common Pleco - Small |
Scientific Name | Hypostomus plecostomus |
Origin | South America |
Max Size (in inches) | 20 |
Community Safe | Yes, with caution |
pH Range | 6.5-8.0 |
Diet | Omnivore (mostly plants), wood |
Min Tank Size (in gallons) | 200 |
Temperature Range | 68-86 |
Difficulty | Easy |
Internal Id | 15090 |
State Restrictions |
Alaska |
Armed Forces Americas |
Armed Forces Europe |
Armed Forces Pacific |
California |
Hawaii |
Puerto Rico |
Instructions
Ratings & Reviews
1 review
Trinidad/Common Pleco
by Jim from Philly
This is truly one, never stopping, hard working fish. It constantly sucks the slime off of the inside aquarium walls and ornaments and ingests uneaten food in the gravel left over from my cichlids. Truly a great asset to my aquarium!