I caught one of these a few years back, but I did not realize that they actually lived in Texas!
The Hypostomus plecostomus is a type of suckermouth catfish native to South America. Because of their ability to rasp algae off of aquarium glass, they have become huge in the freshwater fish aquarium pet trade.
Like so many other species, people have a tendency to outgrow their pets and release them into the wild. Now, in the southern states of the US, there are naturalized populations of these “Algae Eaters” running wild.
I actually found one some time ago, but did not realize that there was a wild population of them here in South Texas. If you want to learn more, you’ll have to check out the video. Enjoy!
The information is the video is original but I did have a quick refresher from this source.
THE WILD-MAN'S WILD FRIENDS - EPISODE 28
PLECOSTOMUS
If you enjoyed this video, please consider thanking @thelivingpoet for encouraging me to make it!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-pleco
Until next time…
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I had one of those guys in my tank as a little kid.
Cool, how big did it get?
Well the tank was only a 40 gallon so he couldn't get that big.. I would say about the size of my hand.
Great catch and the fish looks cool. Can you pardon the fish and set it free? Upvoted. wish you a great Sunday
siguiendo!!
That one you have there is a beauty. I have a tiny 2 inch Rubber Pleco and a 10 inch Bristlenose Pleco in my two aquariums. They are very shy, but interesting fellows.
The Bristlenose Plecos are soooo cool!
Nice post
I've always had those bottom feeders in my fish tanks, they are so cool. They look so aerodynamic, almpst look like a spaceship. And they move just as so .
I've seen them upside-down in the canals too, sucking on the surface.
Guess everything and everyone in life has a role... lol
That would take up my whole fish tank,at least it would be clean!I don't think they are that ugly looking at this one.
Nice one,I replyed on the frog by mistake,so many video's to take in on my spare time,We all love them!
This one is Amazing Men. Very Interesting one. Fish is Cool , thanks for sharing. Never seen it before.
Thanks @vikbuddy!
Nice, I had those in my aquariums growing up in the 80s. Always wished they'd get that big. Wonder how many years old that dude is? They didn't grow very fast in my aquariums but that may have been the smaller environment, don't know. Cool show, thanks.
I've seen a few this large in aquariums, but usually at pet stores where they cost $100 or more.
When we had a fish tank we had one of these guys sucking around.
A very common aquarium experience for many. Us too!
Very interesting stuff,our ecosystems our being destroyed all around the world by mankind. By introducing non native species into the ecosystem,this can have disastrous long term effects,that are totally unforeseen. This happens over and over again,why aren't we learning from these mistakes or does nobody care?
I,d love to try giving up city life and living off the land and ecosystem. I don't know if i could truly do it,but i'd love to give it a go,just for the experience.
Maybe we are just helping "survival of the fittest", no? People claim things like survival of the fittest but then complain about invasive species.
So I take it these fish are considered a nuisance in south Texas?
I think so, but not as bad as the Tilapia.
You ate it?
No, let it go. Just videoed it for a bit.
I always thought they came from the Amazon... I had to pay for mine- I always kept one in my fishtank as a "cleaner."
They are from farther south, but now live here too!
That one you had was pretty handsome... I had one that had like antlers and looked like some prehistoric holdover from the dinosaurs (which I think they actually are)
meep
Thats crazy they sell them things every where. I never seen one that big so holy Fudge if I may say so my self! nice post keep up the good work pepper!
Does the suckermouth catfish have the ability to get this big? Thought this GIF looked like an appropriate Texas Sized Catfish!
Thats one big catfish,that could probably swallow a child.
Yes so crazy isn't it.
Not quite, but I wish I could wrestle one that size!
I know right! I thought it was really cool how he seems to be patting the Catfish like good fishy-fishy.
LOL so many crazy animals out there! Thanks for sharing, @papa-pepper!
I certainly do love getting out there and finding them all.
Wow dis they eat meat or grass in the sea? I used to see some familiar fish in my hometown,too much pollution these days.I couldn't see them anymore
Freshwater, and mostly vegetation I think.
Wow I enjoyed every single of these videos - very interesting - you are truly a magnificent human being to be so in touch with nature - keep it up
I am glad that you enjoyed watching them, because I certainly enjoy making them!
That I can see
We had one that out grew our fish tank and we stuck it in the pond in our back yard. It lasted all summer, but when winter came it kicked the bucket. I guess even in Alabama the winter is too cold.
Looks like it could have made it if you lived in South Texas instead.
You are a crazy man to handle all of the critters that you do. I have heard that the armadillo has 4 babies in a batch( ?) 2 male and 2 female. Thanks 🐓🐓
I had no idea they got this big, nice find.
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They are awesome , and yes they can get very big i keep the ancistrus to do the job as they don't get that big great post
Some fisherman got tired of the janitor fish and tried to cook them, They said it was delicious.
They have to throw it into the fire first tho so that they can be able to remove the meat for them to cook them with coconut milk andd some ginger.