hypostomines

Hypostomines are a group of armored catfishes in the family Loricariidae, commonly referred to as plecos. In some classifications, hypostomines is the informal name for the members of the tribe Hypostomini within the subfamily Hypostominae. The group is primarily South American in distribution, with species found in the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata basins, among others.

They are characterized by bony plates covering the body and a ventrally oriented mouth adapted for scraping algae from rocks and wood. They typically have a robust head and a suckermouth, with a size range that includes many species kept in aquaria.

They are mostly herbivorous or detritivorous, feeding on algae, biofilm, and organic debris. They inhabit a variety of freshwater habitats, often hiding among submerged wood, rocks, and crevices, and many prefer slow to moderate currents.

Reproduction involves laying eggs on a solid surface, with males typically guarding the eggs until hatching. This form of parental care is common among loricariids, though specific behaviors vary by species.

Several hypostomine species are common in the aquarium trade, valued for their algae-eating habits and distinctive armor. Over-collection and habitat loss threaten some species, and ongoing taxonomic revisions reflect new molecular data.