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Bristlenose rubbernose pleco (Chaetostoma marginatum) — Loricariidae

Bristlenose rubbernose pleco

Chaetostoma marginatum
Family: Loricariidae

The Bristlenose rubbernose pleco (Chaetostoma marginatum) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bristlenose rubbernose pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Andean foothills in northwestern South America. The species grows to about 19 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body and a broad sucker mouth with a scaleless belly, ideal for clinging in current. With its mouth it rasps algae and growth from rocks. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bristlenose rubbernose pleco?

The Bristlenose rubbernose pleco has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bristlenose rubbernose pleco live?

The Bristlenose rubbernose pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bristlenose rubbernose pleco get?

The Bristlenose rubbernose pleco grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Bristlenose rubbernose pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Bristlenose rubbernose pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruine rubberlip-pleco sourced
English name
Bristlenose rubbernose pleco sourced
Scientific name
Chaetostoma marginatum
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chaetostoma

More from the family Loricariidae

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