/loricariidae/hypostomus/punctatus/1.jpg "Hypostomus punctatus(1) - Click to enlarge")
/loricariidae/hypostomus/punctatus/2.jpg "Hypostomus punctatus(2) - Click to enlarge")
/loricariidae/hypostomus/punctatus/3.jpg "Hypostomus punctatus(3) Eating cichlid eggs! - Click to enlarge")
/loricariidae/hypostomus/punctatus/4.jpg "Hypostomus punctatus(4) - Click to enlarge")
 Cat-eLog Data Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hypostomus punctatus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1840 |
| Common Name(s) | Common Pleco, Pleco |
| Type Locality | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. |
| Pronunciation | hi POSS tow muss - punk TAT uss |
| Etymology | Greek, hypo = under + Greek, stoma = mouth. punctatus = spotted |
| Species Information | |
| Size | 260mm (10.2") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp. |
| Identification | Hypostomus with a brown colouration and spots are generally difficult to ID with any accuracy. This species has a light brown colouration with very dark brown spots but it is the fact that it is from the Rio Janeiro that makes the ID more reliable. |
| Sexing | Unknown |
| Habitat Information | |
| Distribution | Southern Brazil Rio de Janeiro State Rivers (hover or click on these areas to show maps or find other species found there) |
| pH | 5.0 - 8.2 |
| Temperature | 22.0-29.0°C or 71.6-84.2°F (Show others within this range) |
| Husbandry Information | |
| Feeding | Lettuce, peas, frozen spinach and any prepared food that reaches the bottom. Larger fish enjoy prawns. Algae (especially soft brown) will be eaten immediately. Will learn to eat floating pellets from the surface if the food drifts to the sides of the aquarium. |
| Furniture | An appropriately sized shady retreat is all this fish requires. Will not eat plants, but any individual larger then 10cm or so may inadvertently pull up plants not entirely established. They are more likely to burrow if adequate hiding places are missing. |
| Compatibility | Larger individuals are territorial towards conspecifics, however not predatory and able to look after itself. Safe with small fish. |
| Suggested Tankmates | Larger individuals are territorial towards conspecifics, however not predatory and able to look after itself. Safe with small fish. Good for an appropraitely sized community tank. |
| Breeding | Unreported in the aquarium, but thought to spawn in mud burrows dug into the side of riverbanks. |
| Further Information | |
| References | Hist. Nat. Poiss.v. 15 - pp493 |
| Registered Keepers | (1) Daniel Machado, (2) Trident2004, (3) debsforHim, (4) lewisss, (5) pleco_keepin_bear, (6) Mrs.JP (k: 4), (7) steelhorse, (8) rosemarydawn, (9) ninetysixmustang, (10) Jeox, (11) LindsayB, (12) guardianfyre, (13) griffl, who also notes: "Nice cat but it would grow too large for my tank so I traded for a smaller candy striped pleco.", (14) gamiller, (15) Ill (p: 2), (16) Plunt, (17) joe.juice13, (18) JDogg, (19) Tasplec (k: 3), (20) geekshow (p: 2, k: 2), (21) MyRosco, (22) AlaskanCorydoras (p: 3, k: 3), who also notes: "One former zombie in my cory tank. Named "The thing that lurks and yearns for Brains"
", "Formerly in my 20 gallon, where he earned the name "Inappropriately Frightened" Has calmed down immensely in my 55, as it has many more places to hide.
", "Named "The Beast"
Very Nocturnal, has claimed the large ceramic castle as his own. Keeps the glass in the tank spotless. ", (23) pmbooper, who also notes: "moving 10 inch pleco to 125 gal.
", (24) rdecker81, (25) dougkn (p: 2), (26) Munky, (27) Roel, (28) niallborwell, (29) Patzee (k: 2), (30) EHEIM~ADDICT, (31) joefish72, (32) tiffanyjayne, (33) Mezel, who also notes: "Got him to keep my turtle tank clean. I didn't know much about them back then. He still lives in with them from time to time.", (34) john_d (k: 4), (35) JamesStuddart, (36) JFishNerd, (37) Sargy60. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.  Add this species to your "my cats" page. |
| Breeding Reports | None. |
| More Resources |
 - CotM  1998 July -
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| Hits | 33583 hits. |
| Last Update | 2006 Aug 18 09:35 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00) |
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