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Britski's dwarf pleco (Parotocinclus britskii) — Loricariidae

Britski's dwarf pleco

Parotocinclus britskii
Family: Loricariidae

The Britski's dwarf pleco (Parotocinclus britskii) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela

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Description

Britski's dwarf pleco is a small armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of eastern Brazil. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated body and a sucker mouth with which it rasps algae and growth from stones and wood. As a bottom-dweller it lives in clear, flowing streams. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Britski's dwarf pleco?

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

Where does the Britski's dwarf pleco live?

The Britski's dwarf pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela

How big does the Britski's dwarf pleco get?

The Britski's dwarf pleco grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Britski's dwarf pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Britski's dwarf 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Britski's dwarf pleco sourced
Scientific name
Parotocinclus britskii
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela 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

Same genus Parotocinclus

More from the family Loricariidae

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