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Anthracite pleco (Pseudolithoxus anthrax) — Loricariidae

Anthracite pleco

Pseudolithoxus anthrax
Family: Loricariidae

The Anthracite pleco (Pseudolithoxus anthrax) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 12 cm.

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

Description

The Anthracite pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing rivers and streams of the Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body with 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 Anthracite pleco?

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

Where does the Anthracite pleco live?

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

How big does the Anthracite pleco get?

The Anthracite pleco grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Anthracite pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Anthracite pleco is harmless to humans.

Is the Anthracite pleco edible?

Yes, the Anthracite pleco is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Antraciet-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Anthracite pleco sourced
Scientific name
Pseudolithoxus anthrax
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.4 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Pseudolithoxus

More from the family Loricariidae

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