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Bach's pleco (Peckoltia bachi) — Loricariidae

Bach's pleco

Peckoltia bachi
Family: Loricariidae

The Bach's pleco (Peckoltia bachi) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 14 cm.

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

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Description

The Bach's pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing, clear rivers and streams of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body with an inferior sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones and wood in current and rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bach's pleco?

The Bach's pleco has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bach's pleco live?

The Bach's pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

How big does the Bach's pleco get?

The Bach's pleco grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Bach's pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Bach's 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.

More photos

Bach's pleco (Peckoltia bachi) — Loricariidae — 2
Mark Allen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bach's pleco sourced
Scientific name
Peckoltia bachi
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 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, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
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

More from the family Loricariidae

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