Catfish

This species is distinguished by the following characters: teeth bifid teeth (vs. spoon-shaped); dark spots on a light background (vs light spots on a dark background or not spotted); 4 rough lateral ridges on flanks (vs. absent); 26-29 lateral series plates (vs. < 28 in several species, 31-32 in H. laplatae); 1-2 plates bordering posterior margin of the supraoccipital bone (vs. 3-4 in H. laplatae); differs from H. affinis, H. punctatus, H. ancistroides by having inter-dorsal distance 14.4-19.5% in SL (vs. 18.9-21.0%); head depth 49.0-71.6% in HL (vs. 48.2-49.9); differs from H. spiniger by having fine lateral ridges with odontodes posteriorly inclined (vs. large lateral ridges with odontodes in all directions), weak lateral ridges in caudal peduncle (vs. strong), mid lateral ridge from first plate (vs. ridge from 2nd or 3rd plates); adult of this species (> 12.0 cm SL) can be distinguished from adult H. spiniger by having a strong ridge on temporal plate (vs. very week) (Ref. 121236).

Raphidascaris Infection 2. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 4

Occurs in rivers where substrate from which specimens were obtained was composed chiefly of muddy sand. This species was found in moderately oxygenated waters (6.1-9.1 mg/l) with moderate current; water turbidity 23.7-442 NTU, conductivity 1.087-2.654 ?S/cm, pH 7.2-9.2, and temperature 16.8-27.8°C (Ref. 121236).

Occurs in rivers where substrate from which specimens were obtained was composed chiefly of muddy sand. This species was found in moderately oxygenated waters (6.1-9.1 mg/l) with moderate current; water turbidity 23.7-442 NTU, conductivity 1.087-2.654 μS/cm, pH 7.2-9.2, and temperature 16.8-27.8°C (Ref. 121236).

aquarium: commercial

Hypostomus commersoni is a species of catfish in the family Loricariidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in the Paraná River drainage, including the Iguazu River, the Paraguay River, the Río de la Plata, and the Dulce River. It is typically found in rivers with muddy substrates and moderate currents. The water that H. commersoni inhabits usually has a temperature of 16.8 to 27.8 °C (62.2 to 82.0 °F), a pH of 7.2 to 9.2, a turbidity of 23.7 to 442 NTU, an oxygen concentration of 6.1 to 9.1 mg/L, and a conductivity of 1.087 to 2.654 μS/cm.

H. commersoni reaches 60.5 cm (23.8 inches) in total length and can reportedly weigh at least 1.8 kg (4 lbs). It appears in the aquarium trade, where it is often known as Commerson's pleco.