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Broadhead dwarf suckermouth (Hypoptopoma gulare) — Loricariidae

Broadhead dwarf suckermouth

Hypoptopoma gulare
Family: Loricariidae

The Broadhead dwarf suckermouth (Hypoptopoma gulare) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The broadhead dwarf suckermouth is a small armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, yellow-brown body and, unusually, eyes on the side of the broad head, so it can also look downward. As a bottom-dweller it clings to plants and wood and rasps algae and growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadhead dwarf suckermouth?

The Broadhead dwarf suckermouth has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Broadhead dwarf suckermouth live?

The Broadhead dwarf suckermouth lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Broadhead dwarf suckermouth get?

The Broadhead dwarf suckermouth grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Broadhead dwarf suckermouth dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadhead dwarf suckermouth is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Breedkop-dwergzuigmeerval sourced
English name
Broadhead dwarf suckermouth sourced
Scientific name
Hypoptopoma gulare
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.5 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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