Suckermouth Catfish - Hypostomus punctatus
By: Agassizii 
Species Name: Hypostomus punctatus
Common Names: Common Pleco, Suckermouth Catfish
Synonyms: Plecostomus punctatus
Family: Loricariidae
Order: Siluriformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Max Size: 30 cm / 12 inches
Environment: Fresh Water
Origin: The Common Pleco can be found in South America.
Temperament: In general, the Common Pleco is good for the larger community tank. They may be territorial over a favorite cave but it is usually not a problem to keep several specimens in the same aquarium.
Company: The Common Pleco can be kept with larger cichlids and most other fish
Water Parameters: pH 7.0, temperature 19-26 ° C / 66-79 ° F
Aquarium Setup: The aquarium should be large with bogwood and refuges for the fish. It can be hard to keep adult specimens as they often uproot plants in their search for food or when frightened. Juveniles can be kept in planted tanks. They seldom eat plants if well fed but they do have a taste for duckweed.
Feeding: Common Pleco is a good algae eater. This fish should be fed algae wafers, sinking pellets and green foods. They will also consume most other foods missed by other fish.
Breeding: Unlikely in aquariums. They spawn in mud borrows and are bred in large ponds for the aquarium market.