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Wilson's pleco (Hypostomus wilsoni) — Loricariidae

Wilson's pleco

Hypostomus wilsoni
Family: Loricariidae

The Wilson's pleco (Hypostomus wilsoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 33 cm.

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

Description

The Wilson's pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of rivers of western 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 Wilson's pleco?

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

Where does the Wilson's pleco live?

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

How big does the Wilson's pleco get?

The Wilson's pleco grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Wilson's pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Wilson's pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wilsons pleco sourced
English name
Wilson's pleco sourced
Scientific name
Hypostomus wilsoni
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.5 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
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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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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