Can you keep plecos on their own?

Can you breed plecostomus in an aquarium?

An aquarium of 800 litre / 200 gallon, or more capacity with plenty of suitable hiding spots is recommended if you want to try breeding the common pleco. In the wild, this plecostomus prefers to use caves along the river bank as spawning sites and such conditions are hard to duplicate in an aquarium.

What is the pH of pleco water?

The ideal temperature of the water is between 72 degrees and 86 degrees F and the most optimal pH level between 6.5 and 7.5. There are close to 150 species in this family, and the most common of them all is termed as the common pleco.

What is the difference between cochliodon and Hypostomus?

This species is part of the Hypostomus cochliodon complex, all of which were previously included in the genus Cochliodon, which is now considered a synonym of Hypostomus. Members of this group can be distinguished from congeners by several differences in morphology, most notably the hump-backed profile of mature fish and spoon-shaped dentition.

Can you put two plecos in a tank?

Obviously, you can fit more bristlenose plecos into a tank than common plecos and a pair or trio wouldn’t be hard in even a 55 or 75 gallon aquarium. Of the other pleco varieties, look into their ultimate size and choose aquarium stocking appropriately. I’ve known people who have kept pleco-only tanks, with several different species in one tank.

What is the scientific name of Hypostomus?

The species’ scientific name, Hypostomus plecostomus, is derived from the Latin hypo (meaning “under”), stoma (meaning “mouth”), and pleco (meaning “pleated”).

Is there such a thing as a cochliodon?

Not known to have been bred in the hobby. This undescribed species is part of the Hypostomus cochliodon complex, all of which were previously included in the genus Cochliodon. This is now considered a synonym of Hypostomus.

How can I tell the difference between different species of plecostomus?

H. plecostomoides is one of a few species in the Cochliodon group found in northern South America. Of the others, it’s very difficult to distinguish it from H. hondae, H. pagei and H. taphorni in particular. Collection locality is often the best indicator of species, although there are also small differences in patterning and morphology.

Can plecostomus plecostomoides live without wood?

H. plecostomoides is primarily a xylophagus (wood-eating) species and will not do well without access to wood as a food source. In scientific studies the intestines of the fish have found to be completely filled with wood chips and the fish have specialised bacteria in the gut that help with the digestion of it.

What fish does Hypostomus plecostomus lay eggs?

Hypostomus Plecostomus is nicely appropriate with tropical fish like Cichlids, Loaches, Molly Fish, Tiger Barbs, Betta Fish, and different catfish species. Deposits eggs on easy rocks. Eggs are guarded by one or each parent.

How to tell if pleco fish eggs are fertile?

If you see that the eggs of pleco fish are growing with a bright orange colour that means those eggs are fertile. If you see that eggs are becoming pale and more whitish then you should know that pleco fish fry will not come out from those eggs.

What fish can you not put with plecos?

Even as juveniles, you should avoid placing plecos with discus fish and angelfish, as they are known to nip at plecos. Additionally, make sure you don’t add any smaller tank mates that could fit inside your pleco’s mouth.

Do plecos make good pets?

Plecos generally have a friendly temperament, and they do best in a tank on their own due to size constraints (read the tank mates section below for more). Most plecos are brown in color. However, the colors of some species are dependent on their environment.

Where does Hypostomus plecostomus live?

Hypostomus plecostomus is prevalent in tropical waters of central and South America, in Amazon River basin (Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad). The fish dwells in oxygen-rich lotic waters and in brackish waters of river estuaries.

What is Hypostomus plecostomus used for?

In Mexico, Hypostomus and Pterygoplichthys sp. have been used to produce collagen, fish paste and fishmeal ( Mendoza-Alfaro et al., 2009 ). During the 1960s, H. plecostomus was used to control algae in pools at a zoo in Texas ( Barron, 1964 ).

Is this the only species of Xylophagus fish?

It’s certainly an impressive specialisation, as these Loricariids are the only species of xylophagus fish known. H. plecostomoides is one of a few species in the Cochliodon group found in northern South America. Of the others, it’s very difficult to distinguish it from H. hondae, H. pagei and H. taphorni in particular.

What is a Panaque cochliodon?

Panaque cochliodon – showing the odontodes (cheek spines) The main criteria for the Panaque genus is their spoon-shaped teeth used for rasping the algae beds in their native rivers, this is their main diet in the wild but will also adapt to prepared tablet food in captivity.

How many pleco catfish are there?

There are many species of Suckermouth Catfish sold under the name “Pleco”. There are over 120 Hypostomus species alone, and at least 50 of them have a spotted patterning. Some that are very similar to this species, and also commonly available,…

What is plecostomus habitat?

Habitat: Distribution / Background. The term plecostomus means “folded mouth” and is applied to a large number of species with a suckermouth characteristic, though they differ in length, coloration, and other features like the whisker type extensions around the mouth of the Bristle-nose Catfish Ancistrus spp.

Can a bristlenose pleco survive without real wood?

Can a bristlenose pleco survive without real wood? I currently have only fake wood as real wood will rot. They need real driftwood to rasp on as it aids in their digestion and is a necessary part of their diet. Alison Some plecos do need driftwood. Driftwood helps them with their digestion.

What is a pleco in an aquarium?

The common plecostomus is one of the most popular aquarium fish in the world. This is the “suckerfish” often seen stuck to the aquarium glass, munching on algae. Some fish keepers stock plecos hoping they will help control algae in their tank.

Are bristlenose plecos good tank mates?

Bristlenose plecos are the standard pleco that people tend to buy. They’re good-natured, easy to maintain and get along with every other fish in the tank. One of the best reasons Bristlenose plecos are going to make good tank mates is because they’re quite shy.