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Chang's pleco (Panaqolus changae) — Loricariidae

Chang's pleco

Panaqolus changae
Family: Loricariidae

The Chang's pleco (Panaqolus changae) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 8 cm.

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

Description

The Chang's pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing, clear rivers with much dead wood in the Maranon basin in Peru in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body with an inferior sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it clings to wood and stones and rasps algae, biofilm and decaying wood. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chang's pleco?

The Chang's pleco has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Chang's pleco live?

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

How big does the Chang's pleco get?

The Chang's pleco grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Chang's pleco dangerous to humans?

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

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Changs houtmeerval sourced
English name
Chang's pleco sourced
Scientific name
Panaqolus changae
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.4 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
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
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 Panaqolus

More from the family Loricariidae

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