Plecostomus

An adult "giant algae sucker", Pterygoplichthys pardalis .

A young pleco attached to the side of the aquarium glass.

Plecostomus is also a synonym of the genus Hypostomus and the genus Loricariichthys. Pleco is a common name for fish from the family Loricariidae.

Hypostomus plecostomus (known colloquially as a sucker fish) is the scientific name for a type of freshwater tropical Central and South American fish belonging to the family Loricariidae. They are large algae eaters, and to differentiate them from small algae eaters, they are often referred to as plecostomus, often abbreviated as plecos or plecs. They are extremely popular in aquaria for their ability to clean tanks by eating algae growth and dead fish. In Malaysia, these fish are called 'ikan bandaraya'. Bandaraya in Malay means City. In the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, garbage collection is carried out by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur or DBKL for short). It is this allusion (garbage collection) that gives the fish the local nickname Ikan Bandaraya. These friendly-natured fish can typically be purchased when about 8 centimetres (3.1 in) and may grow up to 60 centimetres (24 in) if there is adequate room, making them impractical for any but the largest aquaria.

Plecos are omnivorous but, in the wild, feed nocturnally mostly on plant material. During the day, their unusual omega irides block a lot of light out of their eyes, but they are usually open at night. They can roll their eye within their sockets, giving the appearance of winking. Plecos are usually skittish and quickly hide whenever they sense danger.

As they age, their foreheads enlarge in a peculiar manner.

Habitat

They live in tropical fresh water. They have been found in ponds. They exist throughout South America.

Etymology

A close up shot of a Common Plecostomus.

The name "plecostomus" means "folded mouth" (pleco, see pleat, stoma, mouth), but it has since been applied to any of a large number of species that have a similar shape, but vary widely in terms of maximum length, coloration, and certain body features such as the "horns" on the bristlenose catfish (genus Ancistrus).

Many types of suckermouth armoured catfishes remain undescribed. As a result, they are given a common name and an L-number designation until a new scientific name is agree. An example is the flash plecostomus, L204, believed to be a species of Panaque.

Diet

Plecos are omnivores. They are not picky eaters. In planted aquariums they will eat any food left behind by other fish as well as naturally growing algae in the tank. They have also been known to have a taste for discus mucus. In tanks without live plants, their diet can be supplemented with sinking fish food, usually algae wafers readily available from a pet store.

Although the plecostomus is a known common algae sucker, it requires more than just pellets and tank algae. It should also be fed algae wafers, zucchini, cucumber, lettuces, peas, melon and also any semi-soft fruit or vegetable will do as well. They also can eat shrimp, shrimp pellets and flake fish food.

Relation to humans

A maturing plecostomus sucking to an aquarium ornament.

In aquaria

Plecos may become more aggressive with age and are best kept individually in tanks. Because of their potentially large size and aggressive behaviour, less aggressive catfish are preferable. In a suitably large tank, a solitary plecostomus will live amicably with other tropical fish. These catfish may survive in tanks with "cold-water" species like goldfish, but it is generally not advised due to the different temperature preferences and the fact that some plecos will suck the protective slime coat off the goldfish. This however would indicate starvation.

A number of species are sold under the name common algae sucker, including Hypostomus plecostomus, Hypostomus punctatus, Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus, and Pterygoplichthys pardalis.

Plecostomus catfish are some of the most commonly kept algae-eating catfish, and are also some of the largest. Small tanks may slow their rate of growth. Their growth may also become stunted in a smaller tank, leading to bad health and possibly an early death. A 40 gallon+ tank is necessary. In an aquarium setting these fish find great pleasure in air stones and swimming in and through the bubbles.^{[citation needed]}

Behavior

A maturing plecostomus sucking to an aquarium wall.

Plecos, when introduced to an aquarium, will often find a permanent resting place (under or inside an ornament or rock, for example) to spend most of their time. This becomes a "home" for the plecostomus. If there are no hiding places, they will sleep in the corner of their tank.

Some fish keepers have trouble housing them in heavily planted aquariums because some plecostomus thrash their tails to develop a "well" in the gravel of the aquarium. It is often necessary to replant aquarium plants that they dislodge.

They can become aggressive if their hiding spot is taken by other hiding fish, such as Brown Knifefish, Rope Fish, and Tire Track eels.

Pool cleaning

In Florida, some villages place plecos in the swimming pools of foreclosed homes. The fish can tolerate the poor water quality and control algae growth in the pools.

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

Hobbyist clubs

• Pleco Club (Singapore) www.plecoclub.org