If you’re looking for something quirky and a little bit different to add to your freshwater tropical fish tank, you might want to consider sucker fish.
Read this guide to learn about the different kinds of beautiful sucker fish available in the hobby and how to care for this fascinating species!
Sucker Fish – At a Glance
| Sucker Fish Info | |
|---|---|
| Common Name (species) | Sucker fish, Suckermouth catfish, Armored catfish |
| Family | Loricariidae |
| Origin | Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care Level | Easy to moderate |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 20 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful, but males can be territorial |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 to 25 gallons, depending on the species |
| Temperature Range | 72o to 82o F |
| pH Range | 6.0 to 7.5 |
| Water type | Freshwater |
What Is a Sucker Fish?
Sucker fish belong to the Loricariidae family, sometimes referred to as suckermouth catfish or armored catfish. There are nearly 100 different genera of these fish and over 680 defined species! Interestingly, some sucker fish are categorized under an L-number naming system because their true taxonomic description has not yet been determined and or accepted.
These fish can usually be identified by their flatted, bony body and signature suckermouth on their underside. They can come in a wide variety of colors and can make an attractive, entertaining addition to your freshwater tank. That said, their large size and demanding appetite make them a tad challenging to keep successfully.
Later in this guide, will take a look at the most popular species of sucker fish you might want to consider keeping in a community aquarium.
Origins
Most members of the family Loricariidae are distributed over the east and west sides of the Andes mountains, although the different species are generally restricted to relatively small areas. Most species of sucker fish inhabit freshwater habitats in South America, although several are native to Panama, and two species originate in Costa Rica.
The fish live in fast-flowing streams from lowland habitats up to around 9,800 feet in elevation. They can also be found in quiet brackish estuaries, acidic blackwater habitats, torrential mountain rivers, and even subterranean habitats.
How Big Do Sucker Fish Get?
Sucker fish are notorious for their ability to rapidly outgrow a tank, despite their slow growth rate. In fact, many species of sucker fish can range from under an inch in size to a massive 39 inches long!
Because of their large size, most species are not kept in typical freshwater tank setups, and many need to be transferred to ponds as they grow. Try to research the species carefully before you decide to bring one home, as there is considerable variation between the species.
What Do Sucker Fish Eat?
Sucker fish are largely omnivorous, with some related species even supplementing their diet with wood. These fish live on the bottom of the tank, using their suckers to scrape algae and biofilm off the surfaces of decorations and glass. However, they can also use their suckers to tear the meat from decaying fish and dead invertebrates.
While sucker fish aren’t typically aggressive in the tank, they won’t hesitate to eat when they find food. These fish have an excellent sense of smell and heightened taste buds, so following scents as they carry through the water is usually not a problem for them!
How Long Do Sucker Fish Live?
Sucker fish can live for a long time when given the optimal tank and water conditions. In fact, some related species have been reported to live for over a decade and can sometimes even get close to the 20-year mark. So, if you take on one of these guys, you’re making a long commitment!
Are Sucker Fish Aggressive?
Sucker fish are generally regarded as non-aggressive, calm fish that can make a good addition to a community aquarium. However, males can be territorial, so it’s generally not recommended to keep more than one of the species in your tank.
If the fish are kept in a small tank and feel overcrowded, they can become aggressive toward their tank mates.
Do Sucker Fish Eat Other Fish?
Some species of sucker fish, including Chinese Algae Eaters, will actually eat the slime coat of other fish in their community. That’s not only extremely stressful for the victim but usually results in fatalities, too.
As mentioned earlier, members of the Loricariidae family of fishes are omnivores, eating a varied diet, including algae, plant matter, general detritus, and meaty protein in the form of small crustaceans, worms, and the like.
The fish will also chow down on dead fish and invertebrates they find on the tank bottom and can sometimes nibble injured, sick fish. So, it is true to say that Loricariidae do sometimes eat other fish.
Tankmates
As previously mentioned, many species of Loricariidae, such as plecos, can be territorial and aggressive during breeding and if kept in an overcrowded tank that’s too small. However, a single Loricariidae can make a good community candidate if you select the right tank mates.
Suitable tankmates for most Loricariidae include the following:
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Gouramis
- Corydoras catfish
- Hatchet fish
- Platys
- Cichlids
Some invertebrates are also good candidates for living with Loricariidae so you could include shrimp and freshwater crabs in your setup. However, snails are best avoided because the Loricariidae will most likely regard them as a good source.
Bottom-feeding fish that are viewed as competition, such as Clown loaches, are best avoided. Keeping two male Loricariidae in the same tank is also not recommended, as territorial issues can develop.
Breeding Loricariidae
Breeding sucker fish can be relatively straightforward and often occurs naturally when the conditions are right. That said, the ease of breeding these fish varies between species.
Ideally, for most Loricariidae species, you’ll need a group of between six and ten individuals, provided you have a large enough tank to accommodate them. That should guarantee a mix of male and female fish. We can’t overstress the need to research the variety carefully before you embark on your breeding project to be sure you have a large enough tank.
The breeding tank should contain at least one cave per fish, spread out around the tank, and plenty of plants. If you’re lucky, your sucker fish will spawn. Be prepared to remove the parents from your aquarium once the eggs are laid to prevent the parents from eating them.
Different Types Of Sucker Fish
Here’s an overview of some of the most popular species of sucker fish you might want to keep in your aquarium.
Hypostomus plecostomus
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Up to 20 inches
- Min Tank Size: 125 gallons
Hypostomus plecostomus or Suckermouth catfish are also known as Common plecos. These fish are easy to care for, but they can grow quite large and require a very large tank of at least 125 gallons per fish.
Panaque nigrolineatus
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Up to 17 inches
- Min Tank Size: 125 gallons
Panaque nigrolineatus is also known as the Royal Panaque, Royal plec, or Royal pleco. These fish are one of the few that eat wood as the main part of their diet.
Farlowella acus
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Between 14 and 16 inches
- Min Tank Size: 50 gallons
The Farlowella catfish is a weird-looking creature that resembles a twig! These unusual fish are relatively easy to care for and make an interesting bottom-dweller to add to your tank.
Hypancistrus zebra
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Between 14 and 16 inches
- Min Tank Size: 50 gallons
The Zebra pleco is one of the most recognizable sucker mouth fish in the hobby, having beautiful black and white stripes that give the fish its common name. These gorgeous fish are endemic to just one small section of the Rio Xingu in Brazil.
Baryancistrus xanthellus
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Around 6 to 7 inches in captivity
- Min Tank Size: 55 gallons
The Gold Nugget pleco is probably the most attractive variety of sucker fish you can have in your aquarium, with a dark brown body decorated with startling golden spots. These are one of the smaller pleco varieties, making them one of the most popular additions to a home tank.
Ancistrus dolichopterus
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Around 5 inches in captivity
- Min Tank Size: 25 gallons
The Bushynose catfish is so-named for the bristles sprouting around its mouth. This is the only variety of Ancistrus armored catfish that has nine soft rays and one hard one comprising its dorsal fin.
Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Around 20 inches
- Min Tank Size: 75 gallons
The Sailfin pleco has a spectacular sail-like dorsal fin and grows to around 20 inches in length. These are long-lived fish, surviving for around 20 years, so you must be prepared for a long-term commitment if you take on one of these guys!
Sturisomatichthys aureum
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Around 9 inches
- Min Tank Size: 50 gallons
The Royal Twig catfish can be kept in groups in an aquarium with a sandy bottom and plenty of securely anchored plants. These fish enjoy subdued lighting and a relatively fast flow rate in their habitat and can live happily alongside other peaceful community species.
Panaque cochliodon
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: Around 12 inches
- Min Tank Size: 75 gallons
The Blue Eyed plecos are a rather drab gray color but have startling bright blue eyes. These rare sucker fish aren’t often seen in the aquarium, being expensive to buy. You’ll need to be a night owl to see these fish at their most active since, like many other sucker fish species, the Blue Eyed pleco is nocturnal.
Otocinclus affinis
- Experience Level: Easy
- Max Size: 1.5 inches
- Min Tank Size: 5 gallons
The Midget catfish is tiny, measuring only 1.5 inches long! These cute little fish can make excellent algae eaters for a well-planted tank and can live happily in a peaceful community environment. The fish can live singly or in groups and sometimes breed naturally when provided with suitable conditions.
Final Thoughts
Sucker fish can make an interesting addition to your tank, often providing a useful cleaning service by eating detritus and grazing on algae that would otherwise obscure your aquarium viewing panes.
There are over 680 species of sucker fish, many of which can be kept successfully in the home aquarium or outside garden pond. These nocturnal fish are relatively easy to care for and can get along fine with other peaceful species of a similar size. That said, most Loricariidae don’t get along with their own kind, being aggressively territorial, especially when spawning.
Do you have Loricariidae in your collection? Tell us about your fish in the comments box below!
