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Fewspot pleco (Hypostomus paucipunctatus) — Loricariidae

Fewspot pleco

Hypostomus paucipunctatus
Family: Loricariidae

The Fewspot pleco (Hypostomus paucipunctatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 19 cm.

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

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Description

The Fewspot pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a stocky, bony-plated, brown-speckled body and a sucker mouth underneath. As a bottom-dweller it clings by day to wood and stones of flowing rivers and rasps algae, biofilm and detritus by night. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fewspot pleco?

The Fewspot pleco has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Fewspot pleco live?

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

How big does the Fewspot pleco get?

The Fewspot pleco grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Fewspot pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Fewspot 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

Fewspot pleco (Hypostomus paucipunctatus) — Loricariidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Alex Karasoulos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fewspot pleco (Hypostomus paucipunctatus) — Loricariidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sofia Lahra Viana Cruz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fewspot pleco sourced
Scientific name
Hypostomus paucipunctatus
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

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 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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Hypostomus

More from the family Loricariidae

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