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Tiger pleco (Pseudolithoxus tigris) — Loricariidae

Tiger pleco

Pseudolithoxus tigris
Family: Loricariidae

The Tiger pleco (Pseudolithoxus tigris) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 9 cm.

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

Description

The Tiger 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 Tiger pleco?

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

Where does the Tiger pleco live?

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

How big does the Tiger pleco get?

The Tiger pleco grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Tiger pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Tiger pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tijger-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Tiger pleco sourced
Scientific name
Pseudolithoxus tigris
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.4 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

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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