Page 133 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CATFISH/LORICARIIDS 131

Squaliforma emarginata
RASPING SUCKERMOUTHS
Black Hi-Fin Pleco L108 The difficulty in naming plecos with certainty, even
Loricariids are sometimes called suckermouth with the L-number system, is well illustrated by the
catfish because of their powerful mouthparts, ORIGINS South America, being common throughout Black Hi-Fin. Although it is often described as L108,
which allow them to anchor onto rockwork much of the Amazon region. this fish is assigned a variety of other L-numbers in
and submerged wood even when faced with SIZE 7 in (18 cm). different parts of its range. Exact coloration may
a strong current. Many species also appear to DIET Mainly vegetarian. vary, but all forms display a dense pattern of black
need bogwood, which they eat, rasping off WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft spots on a darkish background. More than 600
fragments with their teeth. If kept without (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). loricariids are now known, making it a large and
bogwood, these catfish are unlikely to thrive. TEMPERAMENT Territorial when mature. diverse family, and others still await discovery.
Aside from keeping their teeth in check, the
bogwood may also aid the digestive process,
perhaps by providing additional nutrients for
the beneficial microbes in the fish’s digestive
tract, which help to break down plant matter.

Squaliforma species Panaque nigrolineatus Spectracanthicus punctatissimus
Longtail Pleco L131 Royal Panaque L191 Peppermint Pleco L030

ORIGINS South America, being common throughout ORIGINS South America, ranging from Colombia and ORIGINS South America, in the lower Rio Tocantins and
much of the Amazon region. Venezuela through central parts of the Amazon basin. the Rio Xingu in Para state, Brazil.
SIZE 7 in (18 cm). SIZE 13 ⁄2 in (34 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
1
DIET Mainly vegetarian. DIET Mainly vegetable matter. DIET Mainly vegetarian.
WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft WATER Temperature 72–86°F (22–30°C); soft WATER Temperature 73–82°F (23–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0). (50–100 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0).
TEMPERAMENT Territorial when mature. TEMPERAMENT Territorial. TEMPERAMENT Territorial when mature.
The elongated body of this fish, which narrows A black background decorated with white spots
toward the caudal fin, displays a dense pattern of helps to identify this particular loricariid. It now
dark spots. Although the Longtail Pleco has been seems that the Peppermint Pleco ascribed the
assigned the number L131, it is actually regarded number L030 is merely the juvenile form of the
as effectively being the same fish as L108 (see top variety recognized as L031, which has a finer
right), but from a different area within their overall spotted pattern. L030 may appear more common
range. It has also been suggested that the loricariids simply because juveniles are caught more often
assigned numbers L11, L035, L116, L153, L166, than adults. Peppermint Plecos need to be kept in
and L195 are, aside from minor variations in well-oxygenated water with a low nitrate reading.
coloration and patterning, examples of this same
species that have been described differently. Tall dorsal fin
The greenish background color of these catfish is
marked with black lines, which appear straight on
the face but are often more wavy elsewhere on
the body. In common with other plecos, these
fish need bogwood in their tank, on which
they can rasp. Their diet can include shelled
peas, but try experimenting with a range of plant
foods, since these fish can be picky eaters.

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