Members of the Loricariidae family of suckermouth catfish, called "Plecostomus" or "Plecos," are almost exclusively a freshwater fish. With little tolerance for salinity, their geographical range is from Panama to Uruguay in South America.
With specially adapted mouth parts, the Plecostomus is able to attach itself to substrate, such as glass, rocks, or other hard surfaces. This behavior prevents normal breathing and these catfish are able to either briefly suspend breathing or move oxygen via specially adapted gill systems.
Most species of Loricariids are peaceful and participate in very little active swimming, preferring to rest or slowly graze over the aquarium bottom. As primarily vegetarians, the Plecostomus are fairly easy to feed and do an excellent job of cleaning unwanted algae from the bottom and sides of the tank.
These somewhat unique fish with their anatomical and physiological adaptations make interesting additions to any freshwater community tank.
- Araguari-Ancistrus L-056
- Bristle-Bushmouth Plecostomus L-034
- Bristlenose Plecostomus
- Gold Banded Peckoltia Plecostomus
- Gold Nugget Pleco
- Golden-Line - Royal Plecostomus L-027c
- Grow-Star Plecostomus L-005
- Hairy Plecostomus L-105
- King Tiger Plecostomus L-066
- Leopard-Acanthicus L-114
- Magnum Plecostomus L-047
- Marble Sailfin Pleco, Albino
- Mega Clown Peckoltia LDA-019
- Net Plecostomus L-037
- Pario-Ancistrus L-048
- Rio-Negro-Peckoltia L-135
- Sailfin Gibbiceps Plecostomus
- Snowball-Peckoltia L-102
- Spinny-Acanthicus L-160
- Starry Night Plecostomus
- Thomasi Plecostomus
- Tiger Plecostomus L-002
- Tooth-Nose Plecostomus L-007
- Trinidad Plecostomus
- Yellow-Ancistrus L-144
- Yellow Prince Tiger Plecostomus L-072
