Loricariidae
| Loricariidae Temporal range: Possible Cenomanian record | |
|---|---|
| Loricaria simillima | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Suborder: | Loricarioidei |
| Family: | Loricariidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
| Subfamilies | |
|
Genus †Afrocascudo? | |
Loricariidae is the largest family of catfish (order Siluriformes), with over 90 genera and just over 680 species. Loricariids originate from freshwater habitats of Costa Rica, Panama, and tropical and subtropical South America. These fish are noted for the bony plates covering their bodies and their suckermouths. Several genera are sold as "plecos", notably the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus, and are popular as aquarium fish.