SCOTCAT.COM

your internet guide to all things catfish

Hypostomus punctatus Valenciennes, 1840

Image contributors to this species:

Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (3) Diogo Luiz (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

The Hypostomus genus has 7 soft rays to the dorsal fin whereas the similar looking Pterygoplichthys species have 10 soft dorsal fin rays. Aquarium Care: As with most of this genus, will do well in a larger aquarium of 120cm (4ft) or over with the aquarium well filtered. Water parameters can be quite diverse for this genera. Peaceful species that will dig up plants with their constant burrowing in the substrate so better to put plants in pots. Diet: Omnivore with a liking for green, tablet and frozen foods. Etymology: The specific name punctatus: From the Latin punctatus = 'spotted'.

Common Name:

Common Pleco

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Loricariidae

Distribution:

South America: Coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil. Type locality: Rio-Janéiro, Brazil.

Size:

30.0cm. (12ins)

Temp:

22-28°c (71-83°f.)

p.H.

6.0-7.5.

IUCN Red List

Despite the little information available on this species, it has a wide range and no apparent threats. Therefore, it is assessed as Least Concern (IUCN 2023).

Reference:

Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2011. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version.
Riehl, R. and H.A. Baensch, 1996. Aquarien Atlas, Band 1. 10th edition. Mergus Verlag GmBH, Melle, Germany. 992 p.
iNaturalist 2021.
Salvador, G.N. 2023. Hypostomus punctatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023.

Family: Loricariidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Hypostomus punctatus

Hypostomus punctatus

Hypostomus punctatus
Tinguá, Nova Iguaçu-RJ, Brasil

If you would like to contribute to the monthly factsheets with an article, information or photos, please e-mail me. You will of course be credited for your work.

If you would like to donate any denomination of monies to the site just click the above link button. All proceeds will go to running the site and hopefully to keep it going for a few years yet.