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Boujard's rock pleco (Lithoxus boujardi) — Loricariidae

Boujard's rock pleco

Lithoxus boujardi
Family: Loricariidae

The Boujard's rock pleco (Lithoxus boujardi) is a fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeastern South America; rapids of clear streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Boujard's rock pleco is a small armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing, clear rivers of French Guiana in South America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a strongly flattened, bony-plated, brown body and a broad inferior sucker mouth with which it clings to bare rocks in strong current. As a bottom-dweller it rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates from stones. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Boujard's rock pleco?

The Boujard's rock pleco is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Strongly flattened, armoured body with a sucker mouth; clamps onto stones in rapids.

Where does the Boujard's rock pleco live?

The Boujard's rock pleco is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Northeastern South America; rapids of clear streams.

How big does the Boujard's rock pleco get?

The Boujard's rock pleco grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Boujard's rock pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Boujard's rock pleco is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Boujard's rock pleco edible?

The Boujard's rock pleco is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Boujard's rock pleco sourced
Scientific name
Lithoxus boujardi
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
8 inferred
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Northeastern South America; rapids of clear streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Biofilm, algae and small invertebrates, rasped from stones sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Strongly flattened, armoured body with a sucker mouth; clamps onto stones in rapids. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lithoxus

More from the family Loricariidae

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