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Mutuca pleco (Pareiorhaphis mutuca) — Loricariidae

Mutuca pleco

Pareiorhaphis mutuca
Family: Loricariidae

The Mutuca pleco (Pareiorhaphis mutuca) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Mutuca pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body and an inferior sucker mouth with which it clings to stones. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it lives among rocks and gravel of clear mountain streams and rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mutuca pleco?

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

Where does the Mutuca pleco live?

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

How big does the Mutuca pleco get?

The Mutuca pleco grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Mutuca pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Mutuca pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mutuca-bergmeerval sourced
English name
Mutuca pleco sourced
Scientific name
Pareiorhaphis mutuca
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.2 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
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 Pareiorhaphis

More from the family Loricariidae

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