Suckermouth catfish
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; This species inhabits the lower part of rivers still under tide influence, and characterized by a quiet flowing water and muddy substrate, and swamps . Feeds on algae and small crustaceans. Is cultured in ponds in Singapore and Hong Kong for the aquarium trade, where it is very popular .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This species is distinguished by the following characters: differs from species of the H. cochliodon group (H. macushi and H. taphorni in the Guianas) by having viliform teeth (vs. large spoon-shaped teeth); differs from other Guianese species of Hypostomus by having teeth bearing a short roughly rounded crown, with lateral cusp about half the length of the main cusp (vs. an elongated crown, with a small lateral cusp in coppenamensis, corantijni, crassicauda, gymnorhynchus,nematopterus, watwata), or sometimes with an enlarged lateral cusp (observed in H. gymnorhynchus from upper Maroni River Basin only, H. micromaculatus and H. paucimaculatus); differs from long-crown toothed species except H. watwata by the presence of a preanal plate (vs. absence); differs from H. watwata in having an azygous plate which is sometimes divided into two to three secondary platelets, bordering the posterior part of the supraoccipital and directly contacting the pterotic-supracleithrum, laterally bordered by two plates that contact only the pterotic-supracleithrum (vs. an azygous plate, often divided anteriorly in small secondary platelets, not connecting the pterotic-supracleithrum, and with two lateral areas divided in multiple platelets, 4-13, bordering the postero-lateral part of the supraoccipital and the posterior part of the pterotic-supracleithrum .Cross section: oval.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Suckermouth catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Deposits eggs on smooth rocks. Eggs are guarded by one or both parents. May deposit eggs in depressions .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; pH range: 6.2 - 8.2; dH range: ? - 28. Tropical; 20°C - 28°C ; 12°N - 25°S, 60°W - 51°W South America: Guianas (coastal region from the Oyapock River basin to the Essequibo River basin).
🌿 Ecology
algae and small crustaceans
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🚨 Invasive Species Impact
- competition with native species
- habitat modification
- management and control costs
- fishery impacts in some areas
Prevention of further spread through import bans, targeted removal in sensitive areas.
Monitoring and containment programs in place.
References: Compiled from IUCN Global Invasive Species Database, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, and CABI Invasive Species Compendium.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Suckermouth catfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Suckermouth catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Suckermouth catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acipenser plecostomus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Acipenser spec | Linnæus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Hypostomus guacari | Lacepède | 1803 | Synonym |
| Loricaria flava | Shaw | 1804 | Synonym |
| Plecostomus bicirrosus | Gronow | 1854 | Synonym |
| Plecostomus brasiliensis | Bleeker | 1863 | Synonym |
| Plecostomus plecostomus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Pterygoplichthys plecostomus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Suckermouth catfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 37 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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