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Serrate cactus pleco (Pseudacanthicus serratus) — Loricariidae

Serrate cactus pleco

Pseudacanthicus serratus
Family: Loricariidae

The Serrate cactus pleco (Pseudacanthicus serratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 32 cm.

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

Description

The Serrate cactus pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing, clear rivers and streams of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body, often with spiny platelets, and an inferior sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones and wood in current and rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Serrate cactus pleco?

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

Where does the Serrate cactus pleco live?

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

How big does the Serrate cactus pleco get?

The Serrate cactus pleco grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the Serrate cactus pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Serrate cactus pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zaagrug-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Serrate cactus pleco sourced
Scientific name
Pseudacanthicus serratus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.3 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 inferred
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 Pseudacanthicus

More from the family Loricariidae

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