#loricariidae

[every-day-creechur]

Amazon Twig Catfish Farlowella amazonum

A species of armored catfish native to Argentina and Brazil where it is found in Tocantins, Tapajós, La Plata and Amazon basins. This species grows to a length of 22.5 centimetres.

Least Concern

img source

[herpsandbirds]

thoughts on loricariids? id like to see what you come up with! love your blog btw

LORICARIIDAE!!!

Royal Pleco (Panaque nigrolineatus), family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, found in freshwater river basins in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela

photograph by Neal Monks

Golden Nugget Pleco (Baryancistrus xanthellus), family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, found in freshwater river basins in Brazil

photograph by Anne Blindheim

Zebra Pleco (Hypancistrus zebra), family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, endemic to a small section of the Rio Xingu in Brazil

ENDANGERED.

photograph by Animal Graphics

Tiger Pleco (Peckoltia vittata), family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, found in the Amazon River Basin, as well as other nearby river basins

photograph by SoCav

Amazon Twig Catfish (Farlowella amazonum), family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, found in river basins in Brazil and Argentina

photograph by JJ Photo

Royal Twig Catfish (Sturisomatichthys panamensis), family Loricariidae, order Siluriformes, found in Pacific Slope river basins in Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador

photograph via: AquaTropics

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Move over, Wolverine-- there's a new X-man in town! The wolverine pleco is a species of fish named for the unique set of sharp, extendable claws tucked under its gills. These claws are used defensively, lashing out at potential predators when they get too close.

(Image: Top and bottom views of a wolverine pleco (Hopliancistrus wolverine) specimin, by Juan Marcos Mirande.)

[hellopleco]

You know how much we love our little loricariids here at hello pleco…

ANOTHER List of Plecos That Stay Small!

Yes, another! This list has a great variety of plecos (and otocinclus) for every skill level. (A 10 gallon tank is NEVER appropriate for a pleco even if it’s only 1” full grown. Aqadvisor is a great resource on how to properly stock your tank.)

There’s even one I’ve never heard of - Soromonichthys stearleyi that only gets to 1.2”! Previously the tiny hypostominae trophy went to Hypancistrus (Micracanthicus) vandragti at 1.7”.

*hypostominae is the larger, broader category of plecos - a step down from Loricariidae. I’ll have to make a post explaining this another time.

[ot4nmycnpanm]

How it feels joining fishkeeping catfish keeper communities while not being a fan of L numbers

[morgansram]

Bristlenose pleco

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

vermiculated sailfin catfish?

Have you seen the vermiculated sailfin catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onSep 28, 2025

Members of this genus are often known as sailfin plecos in the aquarium trade. Never release pet fish out into the wild. The first image is thanks to Ramani Shirantha, the second is thanks to J.N. Stuart.

[iridescentclouds29]

Eating his food :)