The Plecostomus is used world-wide in fresh water tanks. It also is found here in our 55 gallon freshwater tank. Behavior: Durnig the day the plecostomus hides behind plants and rocks, and looks rather sluggish, but when disturbed by a net or in some way, it moves extremely fast.

Kingdom:Animalia

Common Name:
Plecostomus

Scientific Name: Hypostomus plecostomus

Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genus: Hypostomus
Species: plecostomus

Natural Range
This mysterious catfish species can be found on the waters of South America's rivers. Click here to see a distribution map. There are also populations in Florida and Texas along the Gulf Coast.

Interesting Facts
The plecostomus catfish is a long time freshwayer aquarium favorite. The main attraction of this fish is the ability to keep the tank free of algae. It accomplishes this by "sucking" at the aquarium glass or decorations with its strong under-turned mouth.

Links
Find out more here:

The Plecostomus and CLHS

The plecostomus catfish is found in our freshwater fish tank here at CLHS. Although it might look dangerious, it is quite shy and harmless.