Home · Loricariidae · Torbes pleco
Torbes pleco (Cordylancistrus torbesensis) — Loricariidae

Torbes pleco

Cordylancistrus torbesensis
Family: Loricariidae

The Torbes pleco (Cordylancistrus torbesensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Venezuela

Want the complete picture on the Torbes pleco?

Get the app

Description

The Torbes pleco is an armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fast-flowing mountain rivers of the Andes in Venezuela in South America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a flattened, bony-plated, brown body and an inferior sucker mouth with which it clings to stones in strong current. As a bottom-dweller of clear, oxygen-rich water it rasps algae, biofilm and small invertebrates from rocks. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Torbes pleco?

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

Where does the Torbes pleco live?

The Torbes pleco lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. South America: Venezuela

How big does the Torbes pleco get?

The Torbes pleco grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Torbes pleco dangerous to humans?

No, the Torbes 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Torbes pleco?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Torbes pleco sourced
Scientific name
Cordylancistrus torbesensis
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 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
Natural range
South America: Venezuela 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

More from the family Loricariidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Torbes pleco?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Torbes pleco? Get the app