Plecostomus
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Paxsimius
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Reverted 1 edit by [[Special:Contributions/162.115.108.120|162.115.108.120]] identified as [[WP:VAND|vandalism]] to last revision by [[User:62.253.177.33|62.253.177.33]]. using [[WP:TWINKLE|TW]]
[[Image:Plecostomus 700.jpg|275px|thumb|An adult "giant algae sucker", ''[[Hypostomus plecostomus]]''.]][[Image:Youngpleco.jpg|175px|thumb|A young algae eater attached to the side of the aquarium glass.]]
'''Plecostomus''', '''pleco''', '''algae eater''', or '''algae sucker''', is a general name for a type of [[Fresh water|freshwater]] [[tropical]] [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]n fish belonging to the family [[Loricariidae]]. Algae eaters are extremely popular in [[aquaria]] for their ability to clean tanks by eating [[algae]] growth. These fish are typically sold at about 8 cm (3 inches) and may grow up to 60 cm (2 feet), and a few species can reach even more. A relatively new species is hardy and grows to a maximum of 10 cm (4 inches){{Fact|date=September 2007}}, an ideal size for small to average size tanks.
Plecos are omnivorous but, in the wild, feed mostly on plant material at night. During the day, their unusual [[Loricariidae#Physiology and genetics|omega iris]]es block a lot of the light out of their eyes. The iris opens at night. They can also wink by rolling the eye into the head.
As they age, their foreheads enlarge in a peculiar manner. Plecos can become more territorial and are best kept individually in tanks. Because of their large size and territorial behaviour, when stocking smaller aquaria it is often better to consider a bristlenose catfish (''[[Ancistrus]]''), which generally grow to about 15 cm (6 inches), are very peaceable, and also eat [[algae]]. In a suitably large tank a solitary plecostomus will live amicably enough in a community tank alongside other tropical fish. These catfish can be kept in tanks with "cold-water" species like [[goldfish]], ''Carassius auratus'', these tanks need to be heated however.
There are a number of species that are sold on the market under the name '''common algae sucker''', including ''[[Hypostomus plecostomus]]'', ''[[Hypostomus punctatus]]'', ''[[Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus]]'', and ''[[Pterygoplichthys pardalis]]''.
[[Image:Maturing Pleco Sucking.jpg|150px|thumb|A maturing plecostomus sucking to a aquarium ornament.]]
There are many types of suckermouth armoured catfishes that science has not described. As a result, they are given a common name and an [[L-number]] designation until a new [[scientific name]] for the fish is described. An example is the flash plecostomus, L204, believed to be a species of ''[[Panaque]]''.
Plecostomus catfish are some of the most commonly kept algae-eating catfish, and are also some of the largest. Individuals measuring over 60 cm (2 feet) long have been reported in ponds and large tanks; Most people think they only grow large enough for their aquarium, but a small tank may only slow their rate of growth. Their growth may also become stunted in a smaller tank, leading to bad health and possibly an early death.
==Etymology==
The name "Plecostomus" means "folded" (pleco, see [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=plait pleat]) "mouth" (stomas, see [http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=stomach stomach]), but it has since been applied to any of a large number of species that have a similar shape, but vary widely in terms of maximum length, coloration, and certain body features such as the "horns" on the [[bristlenose catfish]] (genus ''Ancistrus'').
==Territorial Behavior==
[[Image:Maturing Pleco Sucking Glass Side.jpg|150px|thumb|A maturing plecostomus sucking to a aquarium wall.]]
Plecos, when introduced to an aquarium, will often find a permanent resting place (under or inside an ornament or rock, for example) to spend most of its time. This becomes a "home" for the Plecostomus. If there are no hiding places, they will sleep on the corner of their tank.
==See also==
*[[List of freshwater aquarium fish species]]
==References==
Innes's Exotic Aquarium Fishes ([[William T. Innes]])
PlanetCatfish.com
[[Category:Loricariidae]]
[[Category:Fish common name disambiguation]]
[[Category:Edible fish]]
[[fr:Pleco]]
[[it:Plecostomus]]
[[ja:プレコ]]
[[pl:Plekostomus]]