Home · Loricariidae · Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco
Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco (Hypoptopoma sternoptychum) — Loricariidae

Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco

Hypoptopoma sternoptychum
Family: Loricariidae

The Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco (Hypoptopoma sternoptychum) is a fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Hatchetbelly dwarf 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 Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco?

The Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco is mainly brown.

Where does the Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco live?

The Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco get?

The Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bijlbuik-dwergharnasmeerval sourced
English name
Hatchetbelly dwarf pleco sourced
Scientific name
Hypoptopoma sternoptychum
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
12 inferred
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

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 Hypoptopoma

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Loricariidae
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