Name of Fish??

Question

Whats that name of that fish that you always see on the side of the tank sucking and eating the algae?? What is it called?

Specifically what is the name of the smaller version of the wild kind? One that I could I fit one in a 5 gallon tank.

Answer 1

There are many kinds, but you are probably thinking of Plecostomus (often referred to as Plecos). Plecos range from a few inches, to nearly 2 feet, so be sure you know what species of Plecostomus you get to avoid giving it a cruelly small home. Contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

EDIT: The smallest variety of algae eating Catfish is actually not a Plecostomus, but an Otocinclus. They stay less than two inches, but need a group to function at their best... 4-5 Otos in a 5 gallon tank would be fine, but I would encourage you to instead buy algae eating shrimp like Red Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp, or others.

Answer 2

They are called plecostomas(or pleco for short). Most reach up to be 18 inches in length, but the smaller ones that can fit into your 5 gallon would be the following: zebra pleco, rubbermouth pleco, tiger pleco, butterfly pleco, hillstream, and a few others. Most of the listed plecos I gave reach to be around 3 inches.

Answer 3

Ancistrus-Ancistrus species show all the typical features of the Loricariidae. This includes a body covered in bony plates and a ventral suckermouth.[3] The feature most commonly associated with the genus are the fleshy tentacles found on the head in adult males; females may possess tentacles along the snout margin but they are smaller and they lack tentacles on the head.[3] Tentacules, tentacles directly associated with odontodes, develop on the pectoral fin spine of the males of some species.[3] Males also have evertable cheek odontodes which are less developed or absent in females. They also lack odontodes along the snout.[2] In comparison with a typical plec, a bristlenose is typically shorter (15 cm or less), more flattened and fatter with a comparatively wider head. Colouration is typically mottled brown, grey or black. Small white or yellow spots are common.[2]

Answer 4

It's a Plecostomus but be advised. Although they look cute and you would like one in your aquarium, come can get up to 24 inches long. There is another speciece of pleco however that is very hardy and only gets 4 inches but they are much more expensive.

Answer 5

algea eater ,plecos or ottos
if u have a 5 gallon tank otos will be perfect they stay small u to 2 inches

Answer 6

There are several different kinds. There was a pretty good article about the different kinds at www.greataquarium.com. I attached the actual page link below. I hope this helps!

Answer 7

I think it's called an algae eater. I used to have one but we got rid of it.

Answer 8

I love these, I have some. These are called plecostomus or suckermouth catfish. They eat algae and vegetable matter. They are amazing.
Good luck.....Gup.

Answer 9

Hypostomus plecostomus

Answer 10

people usually call it a "sucker fish" but it's a "Pleco" which is a type catfish.