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Scientific Name Hypostomus punctatus  Valenciennes, 1840
Common Names Common Pleco
Pleco, Plettet Sugemalle (Denmark), Punktierter Schildwels (Germany)
Type Locality Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Pronunciation hi POSS tow muss - punk TAT uss
Etymology Greek, hypo = under + Greek, stoma = mouth. The specific epithet, punctatus, means spotted.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 300mm or 11.8" 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
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 5.0 - 8.2
Temperature 22.0-29.0°C or 71.6-84.2°F (Show species within this range)
Hop to next section 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. User data.
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.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Histoire naturelle des poissons v. 15, pp 493.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars!
There is but a single record of this fish being seen, view it.
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Last Update 2020 Oct 24 05:02 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)