Distribution and Habitat
This species' native range is tropical South America; it naturally occurs in Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname though it has been widely introduced to several countries around the world. H. plecostomus occur in the wild in fresh running waters and brackish waters of river mouths.
H. plecostomus have been introduced into some areas of Southern US (Florida and Texas), most likely released by aquarists into the local waters. For example, they are present in a lake in the neighborhood of Hammock Trace Preserve in Melbourne, FL. In Texas, reproducing populations occur in spring-influenced habitats of the San Antonio River (Bexar County), Comal Springs (Comal County), San Marcos River (Hays County), and San Felipe Creek (Val Verde County).
They have also been introduced to several Asian countries. Suckermouth catfish are often cultured in ponds in Singapore and Hong Kong, where they are very popular for the aquarium trade.
Read more about this topic: Hypostomus Plecostomus
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