Pleco catfish - Hypostomus borellii

Scientific name: Hypostomus borellii

Common name: Pleco catfish

Family: Loricariidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 15 - 16 cm (5.91 - 6.3 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.5 - 7.1

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 19°N (71.43 - 339.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 22 - 25 °C (71.6 - 77°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and feeding

Provide Pleco catfish with an algal based diet using algae wafers or algal based flake. It is best to feed these fish in the early evening as this is when they are most active. Supplement their diet with spinach, zucchini, and shelled peas.

Origin

South America; Pleco catfish are found in the waterways of Bolivia.

Sexing

There are no visible differences between the sexes.

Breeding

As of yet there are no reported cases of these fish spawning in the aquarium. It is believed that in the wild they are egg scatterers and the eggs are scattered amongst the foliage.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Hypostomus borellii is 10+years.

Short description

Use subdued lighting with these fish and provide plenty of hiding places in the tank by adding lengths of pvc piping or large caves. Hypostomus borellii are most active after lights out but they do make a good addition to a larger community tank.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.