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Tailspot dwarf pleco (Parotocinclus maculicauda) — Loricariidae

Tailspot dwarf pleco

Parotocinclus maculicauda
Family: Loricariidae

The Tailspot dwarf pleco (Parotocinclus maculicauda) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 6 cm.

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

Description

The Tailspot dwarf pleco is a dwarf armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brownish body and a sucker mouth with which it rasps algae and growth from plants, wood and stones. As a peaceful bottom-dweller it lives in clear, flowing streams. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tailspot dwarf pleco?

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

Where does the Tailspot dwarf pleco live?

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

How big does the Tailspot dwarf pleco get?

The Tailspot dwarf pleco grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Tailspot dwarf pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Tailspot dwarf pleco is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Staartvlek-dwergzuigmeerval sourced
English name
Tailspot dwarf pleco sourced
Scientific name
Parotocinclus maculicauda
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.1 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

Same genus Parotocinclus

More from the family Loricariidae

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