Home · Loricariidae · Tailspot dwarf pleco
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
Range
South America: Brazil

Want the complete picture on the Tailspot dwarf pleco?

Get the app

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. South America: Brazil

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. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Tailspot dwarf pleco (Parotocinclus maculicauda) — Loricariidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Diogo Luiz (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tailspot dwarf pleco (Parotocinclus maculicauda) — Loricariidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Guilherme Cameis Freda, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Tailspot dwarf pleco (Parotocinclus maculicauda) — Loricariidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Guilherme Cameis Freda, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Tailspot dwarf pleco?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Tailspot dwarf pleco is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

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
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Parotocinclus

More from the family Loricariidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Tailspot dwarf pleco?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Tailspot dwarf pleco is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Tailspot dwarf pleco? Get the app