Home · Loricariidae · Azygolechis pleco
Azygolechis pleco (Pareiorhaphis azygolechis) — Loricariidae

Azygolechis pleco

Pareiorhaphis azygolechis
Family: Loricariidae

The Azygolechis pleco (Pareiorhaphis azygolechis) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

Want the complete picture on the Azygolechis pleco?

Get the app

Description

The Azygolechis pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body and an inferior sucker mouth with which it clings to stones. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives among rocks and gravel of clear mountain streams and rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Azygolechis pleco?

The Azygolechis pleco has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Azygolechis pleco live?

The Azygolechis pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Brazil

How big does the Azygolechis pleco get?

The Azygolechis pleco grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Azygolechis pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Azygolechis pleco is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Azygolechis pleco?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Azygolechis pleco is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Azygolechis pleco sourced
Scientific name
Pareiorhaphis azygolechis
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pareiorhaphis

More from the family Loricariidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Azygolechis pleco?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Azygolechis pleco is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Azygolechis pleco? Get the app