The Best Algae Eating Fish Freshwater in Aquariums: Rhino Pleco

The Best Algae Eating Fish Freshwater in Aquariums: Rhino Pleco – The Rhino pleco is also called Alligator pleco and Chocolate pleco. Its scientific name is Pterygoplichthys scrophus, but many sources make use of Liposarcus scrophus or the synonyms Glyptoperichthys scrophus.

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The Best Algae Eating Fish Freshwater in Aquariums: Rhino Pleco

It's possible for you to identify a Pterygoplichthys species from Hypostomus for example because of the more rays in the dorsal fin, which can be up to over or 10.

The Rhino pleco can reach a length of 27.5 cm (almost 11 inches). It is equipped with two nasal flutes that look like little horns on the head. The body coloration changes between rich brown, mottled brown and black.

You know since it's a lot more than ten rays in its dorsal fin that this species belongs to the genus Pterygoplichthys.

Diet

They have been largely vegetarian with algae being their number one source of food except to keep a big fish fed on algae alone is hopeless to help you feed also, spinach, blanched lettuce, cucumber, courgette (zucchini) and also non veg food like pills and prawns.

Sexing

In males this is a small yet thick stump which noticeably protrudes in the fish's undercarriage. In females it's less obvious and is recessed or lies flat using the body.

Distribution and habitat

Pterygoplichthys' habitat is most common in marshes, floodplain lakes, and sluggish streams. They can be known from the Amazon, Orinoco, Magdalena, Maracaibo, Paraná, Parnaíba and São Francisco systems.

These fish have now been introduced into many locations. Several species of Pterygoplichthys have been established in America in Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, and Texas.

Tankmates

The Rhino pleco is an omnivore species that needs alga, vegetables and meaty food in its diet. It may succumb to illness since it is ill adapted for a diet rich in protein and low in fibres if the Rhino pleco gets too much meaty food and too little algae and vegetables.

The natural algae growing in an aquarium is normally not enough to keep a Rhino pleco healthy be sure that you supplement with alga based fresh vegetables and prepared foods.

Furniture

All but the most powerful uprooted or of plants are inclined to be eaten. Level stones and bogwood are needed to assemble caves. Plants that are floating are even eaten by will. A good pleco for the deeper aquarium.

Breeding

Male: Little teeth-like odontodes on back half of fishes and leading pectoral fin rays; slimmer; wider head; thicker first pectoral beam.

Females: Smaller, less pronounced odontodes; rounder when viewed from above. They're cave spawners, with all the females after they have spawned, taking no additional attention of the offspring. They are independent of both parents after the eggs have hatched. They demand blackwater (tannins) to spawn, which can be achieved through using Indian Almond Leaves in the tank.

Even if fish are local & native they really should not be transferred from one waterway to some other, as this can transfer disease. Whenever they're not local fish, they can both spread disease and either out-compete or eat local fish, shrimp & plants, causing their demise.