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Parana pleco (Neoplecostomus paranensis) — Loricariidae

Parana pleco

Neoplecostomus paranensis
Family: Loricariidae

The Parana pleco (Neoplecostomus paranensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 9 cm.

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

Description

The Parana pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the upper Parana basin in Brazil. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, yellow-brown body with a broad sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to stones in the current and rasps algae and growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Parana pleco?

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

Where does the Parana pleco live?

The Parana pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Parana pleco get?

The Parana pleco grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Parana pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Parana pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Parana-zuigmeerval sourced
English name
Parana pleco sourced
Scientific name
Neoplecostomus paranensis
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.3 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

More from the family Loricariidae

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