Hypostomus
Hypostomus
Hypostomus (pronounced: hi-POS-toh-mus) is a genus of fish in the family Loricariidae, commonly known as the armored catfishes. The name Hypostomus is derived from the Greek words 'hypo' meaning under and 'stoma' meaning mouth, referring to the position of the mouth on the underside of the head.
Etymology
The term Hypostomus is derived from the Greek words 'hypo' (meaning 'under') and 'stoma' (meaning 'mouth'). This refers to the unique anatomical feature of these fish, where the mouth is located on the underside of the head.
Description
Hypostomus species are characterized by their armored bodies and sucker-like mouths. They are primarily bottom dwellers and are known for their ability to adhere to surfaces using their specialized mouths. This allows them to feed on algae and other organic material found on submerged surfaces.
Species
There are over 150 recognized species within the Hypostomus genus. Some of the most well-known species include Hypostomus plecostomus, commonly known as the common pleco or suckermouth catfish, and Hypostomus punctatus, also known as the spotted pleco.
Related Terms
- Loricariidae: The family to which Hypostomus belongs, commonly known as the armored catfishes.
- Plecostomus: A common name for fish in the Hypostomus genus, derived from the species name Hypostomus plecostomus.
- Suckermouth catfish: A common name for fish in the Hypostomus genus, referring to their unique mouth structure.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hypostomus
- Wikipedia's article - Hypostomus
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