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Chest dwarf pleco (Hypoptopoma thoracatum) — Loricariidae

Chest dwarf pleco

Hypoptopoma thoracatum
Family: Loricariidae

The Chest dwarf pleco (Hypoptopoma thoracatum) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 12 cm.

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

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Description

The Chest dwarf pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body and an inferior sucker mouth with which it clings to wood and stones. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it rasps algae, biofilm and wood and searches for small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chest dwarf pleco?

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

Where does the Chest dwarf pleco live?

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

How big does the Chest dwarf pleco get?

The Chest dwarf pleco grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Chest dwarf pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Chest 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
Chest dwarf pleco sourced
Scientific name
Hypoptopoma thoracatum
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 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: Bolivia, 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 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 Hypoptopoma

More from the family Loricariidae

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