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Coppename pleco (Hypostomus coppenamensis) — Loricariidae

Coppename pleco

Hypostomus coppenamensis
Family: Loricariidae

The Coppename pleco (Hypostomus coppenamensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Coppename pleco is a large armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of Suriname in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a bony-plated, brown-marbled 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 detritus and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coppename pleco?

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

Where does the Coppename pleco live?

The Coppename pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Coppename pleco get?

The Coppename pleco grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Coppename pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Coppename pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Coppename-harnasmeerval sourced
English name
Coppename pleco sourced
Scientific name
Hypostomus coppenamensis
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
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 Hypostomus

More from the family Loricariidae

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