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Threadfin pleco (Hypostomus nematopterus) — Loricariidae

Threadfin pleco

Hypostomus nematopterus
Family: Loricariidae

The Threadfin pleco (Hypostomus nematopterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 11 cm.

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

Description

The Threadfin pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a stocky, bony-plated, brown-speckled body and a sucker mouth underneath. As a bottom-dweller it clings by day to wood and stones of flowing rivers and rasps algae, biofilm and detritus by night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threadfin pleco?

The Threadfin pleco has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Threadfin pleco live?

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

How big does the Threadfin pleco get?

The Threadfin pleco grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Threadfin pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Threadfin pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Draadvin-pleco sourced
English name
Threadfin pleco sourced
Scientific name
Hypostomus nematopterus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

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

Same genus Hypostomus

More from the family Loricariidae

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