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Twoline dwarf pleco (Epactionotus bilineatus) — Loricariidae

Twoline dwarf pleco

Epactionotus bilineatus
Family: Loricariidae

The Twoline dwarf pleco (Epactionotus bilineatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 4 cm.

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

Description

The twoline dwarf pleco is a small armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing coastal streams of southeastern Brazil in South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body with two paler longitudinal lines and an inferior sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones and wood in clear, oxygen-rich water and rasps algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twoline dwarf pleco?

The Twoline dwarf pleco has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Twoline dwarf pleco live?

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

How big does the Twoline dwarf pleco get?

The Twoline dwarf pleco grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Twoline dwarf pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Twoline dwarf pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tweelijn-dwergharnasmeerval sourced
English name
Twoline dwarf pleco sourced
Scientific name
Epactionotus bilineatus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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 inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Loricariidae

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