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Spadenose pleco (Dekeyseria scaphirhyncha) — Loricariidae

Spadenose pleco

Dekeyseria scaphirhyncha
Family: Loricariidae

The Spadenose pleco (Dekeyseria scaphirhyncha) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Spadenose pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body and an inferior sucker mouth with which it clings to wood and stones. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it rasps algae, biofilm and wood and searches for small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spadenose pleco?

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

Where does the Spadenose pleco live?

The Spadenose pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Spadenose pleco get?

The Spadenose pleco grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Spadenose pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Spadenose pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spadeneus-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Spadenose pleco sourced
Scientific name
Dekeyseria scaphirhyncha
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 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
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Dekeyseria

More from the family Loricariidae

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